MU president seeks comments on guaranteed-tuition concept

Paying for college is a concern for thousands of students and their families, especially as the academic year begins. As president of the University of Missouri, maintaining affordability and accessibility is a year-round concern of mine.

That is why I am visiting communities large and small during the next few weeks. I want to discuss tuition and ask citizens to share their thoughts about the best way to keep a quality higher education within reach of every Missourian.

A possible approach I will discuss at these forums is something called guaranteed tuition. Such a program would tell incoming freshmen and their parents what the tuition rate would be until graduation, allowing them to plan accordingly over a longer period of time.

Another possible benefit to guaranteed tuition could be encouraging students to not only complete their degrees, but to do so in a timely fashion.

As anyone who deals with a household budget knows, being able to predict expenses with certainty is a considerable help. On the other hand, we all know that unexpected developments -- for example, a jump in gasoline prices -- can upset the best-laid financial plans.

Let me emphasize that the university is simply examining the guaranteed tuition approach. The purpose of my visits to Missouri communities is to discuss the pros and cons involved and listen to what you have to say. The feedback that I receive at these public forums will weigh heavily in any decisions the university ultimately makes.

Considering the unpredictable tuition increases in recent years resulting from deep reductions in state funding, I believe that we need to consider new approaches to tuition. Providing affordable, accessible higher education does more than improve the lives of individuals. It serves the greater good. From helping make our farms more productive, to training teachers, to discovering life-saving new medical treatments, the university is here to serve the people of Missouri.

That is why I urge you to participate in this discussion. If a meeting is held in your community, please attend.

For a complete schedule of the University of Missouri tuition forums, please visit this Web address: www.umsystem. edu/tuition.

Or you can e-mail your suggestions or comments regarding the guaranteed tuition concept to tuitionlisten@umsystem.edu.

You may also send ideas to 309B University Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., 65211.

Your suggestions and comments are an important part of working together to keep the University of Missouri affordable and accessible to all.

Dr. Elson S. Floyd is president of the University of Missouri.