The Bottom Line: Are Colleges looking out for the bottom line or for your child as their

next acceptance?
By: Kelsey Murray For any high school student a usual day includes going to school, doing homework and passing the time playing a sport or instrument. For a college bound student like Shannon Thomas, however, junior year involves studying for the SAT, writing college essays and traveling the Northeast in attempt to find a suitable college. For a lot of 17 year-old students at Needham High School college has always been part of the plan. For a girl with her sights set on expensive schools such as Loyola University of Maryland, The College of Charleston and Providence College the cost comes second to the top diploma she would obtain in hopes of helping her in the communications industry. Financial aid is a priority on her list, however, I am worried, Thomas said. College is expensive, but youre not going to get anywhere without an education. More and more students like Thomas are buckling down to acquire a ticket to a top school, but at what cost? A New York Times article cites a new study, by Public Agenda, that six out of ten Americans say that colleges today operate more like a business, focused more on a bottom line, rather than the educational experience. Over 54 percent of Americans say, colleges could spend less and maintain a high quality of education. College tuitions at Yale University rose 3.3 percent, according to the student newspaper. Some schools have topped out at 4.4 percent, for example, charging Cornell University students a whopping 52,316 dollars in tuition fees. As the cost of program and services rises, schools are forced to make tuition increases. I think that every college in some way operates like a business, Thomas said. They are attracting student with their programs which are usually supported by the money they get from tuitions. While Thomas is looking at expensive schools, reaching up to $40,000, she most likely wont receive much financial aid. I dont think I will automatically get financial aid. Even if a majority of students receive money, it wont be very much because the economy is so tight right now. Although she thinks that colleges are interested in educating students she agrees that the programs and location are an essential piece in attracting new students. Colleen Emerson, Dean of Admissions at Salve Regina University, whose job includes overseeing all admissions operations, knows that college costs have

increased. But, she says, SRU still focuses on academics. Salve has a real grasp for the educational experience, Emerson said. When looking at potential students, Emerson said high school transcripts and curriculum are the first things Salve looks at. Our biggest thing is that we want to make sure a student is prepared, said Emerson. The last thing in the world we want them to do is fail. That would be a waste of money. Salve Regina also looks for a well- rounded student. We find more and more we are looking at students holistically, Emerson said. We look for those students who were leaders in high school. Although Salve is focused primarily on academics, Emerson agrees that the programs offered at universities attract students and is an important part of what theyre getting out of their institution. According to the Public Agenda survey, many college presidents say they are caught in an unbreakable relationship between the cost of running their operations, the number of students they can educate and maintaining educational quality. Thomas Flanagan, a professor of business studies, has spent the past 28 years at Salve Regina University. College is a business. All businesses have bottom lines, Flanagan said. There is no free lunch. He explains that all colleges have to obtain steady revenue to keep from going under. In order to attract students to a university they must implement programs and social clubs. By building new facilities, having high standards and having access to wireless internet and cable youre going to attract more people, Flanagan said. While Flanagan agrees college has become very expensive he also emphasizes the value of the experience, What is the value of the education you receive? Flanagan asks. What are you going to do with it once you have your diploma in hand? Did you get your moneys worth? While teachers and admissions offices attempt to educate the next generation and struggle to keep up with budgets, students like Thomas continue to tread the consumer line of universities looking for the right fit.