Virtual instruction should not cost as much as standard tuition
September 18, 2020
California Lutheran University continued virtual instruction this fall and it took time for many students who had never used Zoom—like myself—to adjust.
Despite many students not being on campus to access resources such as the Pearson Library, Forrest Fitness Center and Student Union study spaces—not to mention the majority of classes being online instead of running fluorescent classroom lights for 12 hours per day—Cal Lutheran is still charging the same amount in tuition.
In my opinion, Cal Lutheran should’ve lowered the tuition cost because it does not feel like we are getting the same experience as we would during an in-person semester.
Being a first-generation college student means that I face additional hurdles, like not having consistent WiFi at home, nor a space to concentrate and get work done.
While the university is providing WiFi hotspots and outdoor study spaces on campus, some of us do not have the opportunity to access this due to proximity to campus, or obligations at home.
On top of that, I am not working full time because I am a full time student.
I get paid monthly, which is not enough to pay both my tuition and for basic necessities like food, shelter and water.
It’s not just me; the pandemic has made it difficult for many college students to pay their tuition.
Jobs are harder to come by and some people are not getting unemployment due to a backlog at various state employment security departments.
During these times, some students may rely on their parents’ income.
If their parents are also unemployed, it is hard to expect them to pay bills, let alone college tuition.
An article from CNBC stated, “According to a survey of 13,606 college students in the United States by study guide platform OneClass, more than 93% of U.S. students believe that if classes are fully held online, tuition should be lowered.”
According to the same CNBC article, the survey also found that 75% of college students are unsatisfied with the quality of online classes and 35% of students are withdrawing from school.
Taylor Brown, a senior and Social Media Manager of Cal Lutheran’s Black Student Union, said that there was a lack of communication from the university regarding emergency financial assistance.
“Well I think, personally speaking, I would have liked a discount, even if it’s not a full discount,” Brown said. “I feel like a lot of people, especially in this time, we don’t know how everyone’s home life and financial life either already was, or if it’s gotten worse because of the pandemic.”
In July, BSU started a petition asking Cal Lutheran to lower tuition for the year that was slated to begin online.
The petition received 1,178 signatures in support of lowering the tuition cost for the fall semester.
I get paid monthly, which is not enough to pay both my tuition and for basic necessities like food, shelter and water.
— Jasmine Perez, Reporter
Brown said that BSU had been wondering about a tuition discount, but was waiting to see if Cal Lutheran would announce one before starting a petition.
After not hearing anything by mid-July, they launched the petition.
“That’s kind of where the petition started. Because the rest of us are all sitting here, like if I’m not going to be on campus, and I’m not going to be able to do all these things, what am I paying for? What am I paying $60,000 a year for when I can pay a lot less and just go to, you know, a community college or school that’s already based online,” Brown said.
Brown said a couple of her friends chose not to go back to Cal Lutheran this year.
“Actually one of my roommates decided to not continue at Cal Lutheran,” she said. “So literally the last time we saw her was when we all left campus in March, and she decided to not come back.”
In my experience, I feel that trying to navigate this time as a first generation college student makes it very difficult, and not working makes it even harder to pay for books, let alone tuition.
Ho'ala Chock • Sep 24, 2020 at 11:55 pm
As a new transfer student to California Lutheran University, it has been interesting. I faced so many obstacles during the transfer process, but lept over those hurdles and was introduced to even higher hurdles afterward. I planned to live on campus during the fall but decided to live at home since everything is online. Living in a different time zone has posed its problem. Also, the lack of resources available has become apparent through my grades and the shortened school year has accelerated every aspect of learning. I’ve become tired and exhausted twice as easily compared to last year. Being burdened with the same amount of tuition and other costs has become laughable and quite insulting. My professors have been accommodating as much as possible, but I didn’t pay to attend ZOOM COLLEGE. I’m paying to attend CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY and if I can’t attend in person, then I would like to have
Alexandra VanAntwerp • Sep 24, 2020 at 9:43 am
Agree. I’m a grad student, the difference bt in class and on line has affected my learning. Courses that were designed to be “in class” have not translated well for me online as I struggle to change my learning style to comport with class objectives. Internet is now spotty due to the increase of use communually which further impacts learning on line. Finances are worse than ever before for most of us- those of us who are head of household for our families also bear an enormous responsibility, and fear, of not being able to meet our familys’ basic needs. I’d like to see Cal Lu recognize this issue for all.
Ty Garcia • Sep 23, 2020 at 8:58 pm
The quality of learning is significantly changed when shifting the platform from physical to virtual. There’s a reason why class format is most of the time an option for students. I live in a low-income 3 bedroom household with 6 students all simultaneously trying to do meetings, class, and homework all week. Our WiFi is strong but that doesn’t mean we won’t get the occasional dips in quality. It’s difficult, it’s annoying. I spend more time trying to do the busy work assignments than actually taking away anything from the classes. That’s not to say I haven’t learned anything, but there’s such a significant difference in the amount and quality of that learning. I would have dormed on campus had the tuition been adjusted. It wasn’t worth it in my eyes to pay full price to spend less days of the week in class. There’s even less days of school overall, yet, we still are expected to pay the same. I wish this was looked into significantly better and at the very least explained to us why they chose to pursue the same tuition cost.
kevin cabell • Sep 23, 2020 at 8:45 pm
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!! This article speaks the truth to power! there’s only pretty much one building open for us to have as usual( Library), but were being charged like we have access to that. They even want to reduce Library hours? really? during a school year? Its like they can make an excuse to charge us no matter what. Not only that, they raised the tuition this year?Raising tuition during a pandemic?
Melanya Tiratsuyan • Sep 23, 2020 at 10:13 am
I agree with you 100%. I even voiced my opinion about this to my financial aid counselor, although I know he doesn’t have power over this issue, and still was left confused to why were being charged so much. My tuition this year is MORE than last year despite my gpa increase and financial need. Not to mention everything in your article, there is no reason it should cost more or even the same as last year considering all the disadvantages this pandemic made. I am grateful you were able to create this piece to post.
Esmeralda Espinoza • Sep 23, 2020 at 8:02 am
It’s been overwhelming and very stressful continuously being over charged. I am a graduate student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program and this school increased our tuition, continuing to charge “technology fees” when all the devices Im using are all my own, and an increase in practicum fee. I have reached out to the school, messaged the president of the school, and applied for scholarships but I never hear from anyone back. I am also a first generation student who is wanting to be a good example to my community, family, and to others like me, but with tuition being so high under a pandemic it’s making it hard to reach my goal. My family has been impacted by this pandemic both mentally and financially and it’s as if this school only cares about their money.