Fees, Increasing Tuition Forcing More Students to Commute

Students at William Paterson University could pay an additional $200 in parking fees beginning next semester. This is another financial burden that students have had to deal with in recent years.

The additional fee is to cover the cost of constructing a new parking garage.

Although tuition has been steadily increasing since Governor Chris Christie took office in 2010, state aid to William Paterson University has dramatically increased in that same amount of time. Despite the additional state aid, tuition is steadily increasing.

The average tuition bill has increased from $10,000 in 2007 for in-state students to more than $11,200 in 2010.

This increase in tuition has placed an additional financial burden and stress on students.

“It’s not fair that I’m unable to have the full college experience because tuition is so expensive,” said Kaitlyn Hartman, a freshman. “I’m already in debt with loans, so the thought of being in more debt and commuting is very stressful.”

Less than 50 percent of students live on campus. With tuition increasing every year, that percentage could decrease, placing a greater demand on parking space. The number of available grants has also decreased in recent years, campus officials said. Exact numbers could not be determined.

 “Fewer grants make it harder for those getting financial aid,” said Jeff Wakeman, director of campus activities and student leadership. “It makes people pay more out of pocket.”

The university’s board of trustees was scheduled to discuss tuition at a public hearing in mid-April. The trustees are scheduled to decide how much tuition will increase in June.

For more information, visit www.wpunj.edu/ira.