by Matt Conley
Mired in perhaps the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, times are tight for many American families. With the stock market crashing and jobs disappearing, both colleges and students are feeling the impact.
Here at High Point
Given the state of the current economy, college applications are expected to be down this upcoming year, as fewer students will be able to afford tuition.
According to experts, private colleges and universities are expected to be hit much harder than public institutions. According to collegeboard, the average price of attending a private four year university is $25,143, nearly four times as much as public four year schools, where the average tuition is just $6,585.
It is also expected that fewer students will go to school out-of-state, where tuition at public universities is usually more than twice as expensive as in-state schools.
So one can only assume that High Point University, a private institution that draws nearly 75% of its students from out-of-state, will be affected more than most other schools.
Not according to Vice President of Enrollment Andy Bills.
"The demand to attend High Point University is at an all-time high," claims Bills.
According to Bills, applications to High Point are up "over 20%" of last years record year.
He credits this to the leadership and vision of High Point University President Nido Qubein and the schools commitment to excellence.
"The nation is taking notice as President Qubein's and our leadership team's branding efforts and strategy are working. Simply put, we have built a first class educational environment and we focus on our students success and happiness."
While Vice President for Financial Affairs William Duncan is also pleased with the early application numbers, he is also a bit more cautious than Bills.
"Applications are up significantly this year over last. That is quite positive, though in the long run it will only truly matter on those students who end up matriculating. With the economy being as it is at present, this is a major wild card."
Some Students Not So Lucky
It will not take until the fall for the effects of the recession to be felt by college students. Some are being forced to transfer or withdraw in between semesters, unable or unwilling to pay next semester's tuition.
High Point is no exception.
Sophomore Biology major Amanda Strom emphatically states, "the cost of tuition played 100% in my decision to transfer."
"The current state of the economy definitely played into my decision, because it is harder to get loans these days and interest rates are higher. I also didn't get as much financial aid as last year, but I don't know how much of that was the economy and how much of it was because freshmen receive money first."
"However, most of it was the steep increase in tuition."
Strom, a North Carolina resident, plans to attend Appalachian State University in Boone, NC next semester. Appalachian State, a public university, will cost her $4,194 in tuition and fees, opposed to the $31,000 she would be paying at High Point, minus financial aid.
While there are plenty of students like Strom, there aren't quite as many as you would think.
Explains Duncan, "The attrition rates continue to hold quite well at present. Yes, we are losing students for various reasons, and many times this is actually quite hard to fathom. Nevertheless, it has always happened and it always will regardless of how great a place might be for the vast majority. Thus far at least, attrition is nothing outside of the historic norms, and is actually a bit ahead."
Bills puts the freshmen retention number at "above 96%" which shows no noticeable difference than years past.
That offers no solace to the unfortunate few that are unable to return.
"If it weren't for money, I wouldn't be leaving," admits Strom. "It just sucks."
Here at High Point
Given the state of the current economy, college applications are expected to be down this upcoming year, as fewer students will be able to afford tuition.
According to experts, private colleges and universities are expected to be hit much harder than public institutions. According to collegeboard, the average price of attending a private four year university is $25,143, nearly four times as much as public four year schools, where the average tuition is just $6,585.
It is also expected that fewer students will go to school out-of-state, where tuition at public universities is usually more than twice as expensive as in-state schools.
So one can only assume that High Point University, a private institution that draws nearly 75% of its students from out-of-state, will be affected more than most other schools.
Not according to Vice President of Enrollment Andy Bills.
"The demand to attend High Point University is at an all-time high," claims Bills.
According to Bills, applications to High Point are up "over 20%" of last years record year.
He credits this to the leadership and vision of High Point University President Nido Qubein and the schools commitment to excellence.
"The nation is taking notice as President Qubein's and our leadership team's branding efforts and strategy are working. Simply put, we have built a first class educational environment and we focus on our students success and happiness."
While Vice President for Financial Affairs William Duncan is also pleased with the early application numbers, he is also a bit more cautious than Bills.
"Applications are up significantly this year over last. That is quite positive, though in the long run it will only truly matter on those students who end up matriculating. With the economy being as it is at present, this is a major wild card."
Some Students Not So Lucky
It will not take until the fall for the effects of the recession to be felt by college students. Some are being forced to transfer or withdraw in between semesters, unable or unwilling to pay next semester's tuition.
High Point is no exception.
Sophomore Biology major Amanda Strom emphatically states, "the cost of tuition played 100% in my decision to transfer."
"The current state of the economy definitely played into my decision, because it is harder to get loans these days and interest rates are higher. I also didn't get as much financial aid as last year, but I don't know how much of that was the economy and how much of it was because freshmen receive money first."
"However, most of it was the steep increase in tuition."
Strom, a North Carolina resident, plans to attend Appalachian State University in Boone, NC next semester. Appalachian State, a public university, will cost her $4,194 in tuition and fees, opposed to the $31,000 she would be paying at High Point, minus financial aid.
While there are plenty of students like Strom, there aren't quite as many as you would think.
Explains Duncan, "The attrition rates continue to hold quite well at present. Yes, we are losing students for various reasons, and many times this is actually quite hard to fathom. Nevertheless, it has always happened and it always will regardless of how great a place might be for the vast majority. Thus far at least, attrition is nothing outside of the historic norms, and is actually a bit ahead."
Bills puts the freshmen retention number at "above 96%" which shows no noticeable difference than years past.
That offers no solace to the unfortunate few that are unable to return.
"If it weren't for money, I wouldn't be leaving," admits Strom. "It just sucks."
Is Extraordinary Necessary?
As the economy worsens, many colleges and universities are focusing on cutting their budgets to save money. According to an article in the New York Times, Arizona State University is ending its contracts with 200 adjunct instructors in order to meet its goal of $55 million in budget cuts. Other schools are suspending or eliminating plans for construction.
This puts High Point University, in the middle of an amazing transformation that includes a substantial growth in both acreage and student population, in a tough spot.
How do you cut budgets while at the same time finish construction on several new buildings and increase the freshmen class?
To one student, it's simple.
"Get rid of some of the damn fountains," deadpans Caleb Sonneland.
Sonneland, a freshman at High Point last year who is a part-time student this year due to financial concerns, represents a number of students frustrated with certain aspects of the university that they feel are "unnecessary."
"It's just stuff like the trolley, the fountains, the ice cream truck. We just don't need it. It's like, to think, that the reason I couldn't afford to come back to school here because we bought a trolley, it's unbelievable," says Sonneland.
Strom seems to agree.
"I feel like at High Point you are paying more for the atmosphere and experience than the education. I feel like more money is being poured into projects such as construction of a multiplex when there is already a student center across the road. I also feel like High Point is trying to target a high class demographic and that's why they build all this 'fluff' because the people attracted to it can afford it."
There seems to be a growing consensus around the school that the University is transforming into a type of country club, a reputation only more purported during a piece on Good Morning America earlier this year.
Duncan contends that it is these things that gives High Point its identity.
"We have no plans to cut back on the 'extra things' we do for our students. These are the core of what makes HPU a unique place. To cut these out would not be a wise thing to do- in the short run, or the long one."
"We will not cut services we have promised our students we will provide," agrees Bills. "However, every department will be prudent with their budgets and cut out unnecessary expenditures that do not negatively effect our students' experience. "
And for the "fluff"?
"We also have some luxuries that generous donors have specifically donated money to fund fountains, sculptures, pools, etc. These will continue as planned as promised to the donors," explains Bills.
Even so, tuition for the 2009-2010 school year will rise, due to utilities, food, and additional academic programs, potentially forcing more students out the door.
For more information on this issue, visit Collegewise and The Admission Game.
Former Student Forced to Move On
Caleb Sonneland couldn't wait to return to High Point University for his sophomore year.
That is, until he found out he wouldn't be able to afford it.
In early July, Sonneland received word from HPU that his financial aid would be less than the previous years. This, coupled with the fact that tuition increased by about $3,000, left Sonneland in a tough spot.
After talking with his parents, he decided he was still going to High Point- only as a part-time student.
Sonneland lives in an apartment in High Point and takes two classes. As a part-time student, he is unable to live on-campus, cannot eat in the cafeteria, and is not issued a student ID card.
Sonneland is hoping to stay in North Carolina long enough to establish residency, then will attempt to apply to public schools as an in-state student next year.
"I just really like the area, and all my friends, obviously. High Point is just too expensive," he explains.
As a part-time student, Sonneland pays about $2,000 for his six credits, opposed to the nearly $34,000 full time students pay.
Among the schools he is interested in are the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Appalachian State University. Both schools are public, with tuition roughly one-fifth the amount of High Point's.
While Sonneland admits this isn't the way he imagined his sophomore year, he is not one to dwell on it.
"It's unfortunate, but I'm not really upset anymore. That's just how life goes."
1 comment:
Matt,
great job. You've conducted good interviews from both sides of the issue and provide additional research material as well.
I like your sidebar on Sonneland's story and your overall news writing style is great.
The story would've have been great if you had added the video element in there and your second sidebar as well.
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