Keeping tuition at current levels is good for MSSU students’ finances, but it can have a negative effect when programs are cut because of low funding.

Because of Missouri Senate Bill 389, tuition at Missouri Southern and 12 other four-year, state institutions is frozen for the 2009-2010 academic year. This freeze was included in the bill by Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) because students and parents are at the mercy of universities when it comes to tuition, according to a Feb. 23 edition of The Chart.

“There’s no protection at all against the spiraling cost of tuition,” he said last February.

Programs cut at MSSU include men’s soccer and women’s tennis, and a moratorium has been established for overtime compensation and travel expenses, according previous editions of The Chart.

“It’s good for the students because they won’t have to pay more money. It’s bad if we don’t have activities for the students to participate in,” said Terrance McIntosh, senior computer information science major. “It’s kind of a bittersweet deal.”

University President Bruce Speck believes higher tuition would enhance the school but still not be too expensive for students.

“We really do need to raise tuition,” Speck said. “It’s caused us to struggle with finances.”

Several students are happy to know their tuition won’t be going up, but would be okay with it if their scholarships still covered the raise.

“It depends if you’re qualified for financial aid,” said Leo Eggert, junior business administration major. “If [I had] to do it myself, I’d be against it. Finances are tight.”

Still, there are some students who would like higher tuition if it enhances their University experience.

“I think anything what’s good for the school would be for the best,” said Seth McCully, junior health promotion and wellness major.

“I think it’d be all right,” said Brandon Prince, freshman undecided major. “It’s pretty cheap right now. There’s a lot of colleges more expensive than here.”

One prospective student has mixed feelings about tuition.

“It kind sucks,” said Adam Ramage. “Good programs have gotten cut. If it gets raised, it’s more money I have to pay, more money I don’t have.

“I’d kind of like to play soccer, though.”

Ramage said that if the school does raise tuition, it would not affect his decision to come.

“I’d still be here.”