SEMO FEES REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN STATE

Southeast Missouri State University wants to increase tuition and general fees. The Board of Regents will consider the recommended increases in student fees Wednesday.

The university walks a fine line between keeping prices reasonable and generating enough revenue to pay for quality programs and services. As it works to build its enrollment to a target of 10,000, the university must remain acutely aware of the role cost plays in student choice.

Cost is not the greatest factor for many college students. If it was, no one would choose an Ivy League university -- or even Truman State University, which is markedly higher than Southeast.

For many students, the quality or prestige of an institution of higher learning outweighs the expense. If a student has the ability to go to Harvard and is accepted, he or she typically finds a way to make it happen. Financial aid, including grants, loans and scholarship, make the difference for many seeking a college education. Statewide, financial aid to Missouri students topped $1 billion in 1997.

On the other hand, Southeast has long built its reputation as being affordable. That may be especially true with non-traditional students who choose to attend classes at the university's growing number of satellite campuses.

Regents should not look just at the proposed fee increases. They should focus on how much revenue would be generated and where the dollars will go.

The university expects to spend $71 million to educate students next year. That's a $3 million increase over the current year. The additional dollars would be generated from $755,000 in additional student fees, if approved, and an expected $2 million more from the state.

The state and its history of funding public universities also has a hand in student fees. Over the years, the state has required students to bear an ever-increasing share of the true cost of education. About 31 percent of college costs at Southeast are borne by the students. The rest comes largely from state funding.

Despite the rising costs, Southeast Missouri State University remains a good bargain. It also remains competitive with other public universities and colleges in Missouri.

Higher education, like any commodity, is a matter of supply and demand. People will pay most any price for something they really want.