URI Tuition Hikes

Tuition: $3,727; Required Fees $ 972; Total $4,699.00 (one term)


Of course, parking (a few hundred$), transportation, food, travel, books (figure $600) are all extra.


A recent Projo column contribution bemoaned the State's seemingly lack of interest in URI. "...20% of all Rhode Island residents with a four year degree graduated from URI." In 1970 the State "funded 50% [and] 11 % now."

More and more programs are being targeted to out-of-staters who pay a tuition of $24,776.

"Labor economist Paul Harrington recently told Governor Carcieri's forum on Rhode Island's ailing economy, 'Education is our pathway to economic prosperity.'"

I've blogged on this many times before. We should also be funding research at URI to use for economic stimulus ideas. Instead, we do the opposite- slash URI funding while cutting income taxes for our wealthiest residents. Some message to our students. More trickle down malarky for our public. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I've decided that I keep asking the wrong question: "How stupid do they think we are?" It should be augmented with: "How stupid are they?" Expecting a part-time lege to come up with better ideas than we do is just that- stupid on both sides. Rep. Jackson (D-Newport, Midd.) hit the nail on the head, “... a part-time legislature is not a nimble and creative entity...” Well said. Really, how nimble & creative are you after a full day of work?

While NDN columnist "Politically Incorrect" Joe Baker was hopeful that early lege House Finance hearings would be a "good start" in addressing budget woes, I'm far less optimistic. Says Joe whose former weekly column of Statehouse activities was deep-sixed last year, "...members of the committee spend countless hours in budget hearings, earning every cent of their $14,000 legislative paycheck." I've been to some of these hearings. They were sparsely attended by committee members. In fact, they just made quorum with the Chair (and others) leaving after department heads spoke. Kinda got the impression that it's all decided beforehand with most members just playacting. When Chair Constantino speaks, you'd best listen. And if the NDN doesn't care what happens at the Statehouse, what chance do the rest of us have in keeping informed? But they don't really matter up in Prov., do they?

Yup, expect more tuition raises like this one which is up from the first term. Expecting your son or daughter to be guaranteed a place at our local university? You'd best rethink this strategy along with affordable costs (don't forget those damn fees). It doesn't even work that well now.

The Pro article was signed by URI professors, students, & alumni. Thanks for writing it.

URI Pointsettia Sale

The URI Master Gardeners do this every yr. as a fundraiser. It is this Sat. from 9- noon. They do this every yr. & there are plenty in attendance to buy the poinsettias as well as other items. It's at their greenhouse sign close to campus- there will be plenty of signs.

Remember, these are YOUNG plants & quite reasonably priced- $?10- memory aludes me.

Sorry for the lack of postings. My new laptop has been being serviced yet again. It's been gone for a month & I'd better be seeing it damn soon or I'll have plenty to say about the vendor. I am not a happy camper for a VERY expensive computer that never worked right from day one. I regret that I did not buy a major brand, although my son has had no problems with his smaller version.

Screwing URI

Projo has an article regarding an upcoming report by the Commission for Innovation and Research.


"Arguing the state university lags so far behind in its research capacity that drastic action must be taken, a commission today will recommend several steps to bolster research at the University of Rhode Island designed to make the university more competitive and the state’s economy more vibrant."


One of the three major recommendations is a $100-million bond referendum in 2010 to attract 20 to 30 top researchers to URI and upgrade research infrastructure. The other two concern the hiring of a new Pres. & "Create a sustainable financial model for URI that provides university leadership and the Board of Governors with the flexibility to make necessary investments in building research capacity." Whatever that means. I think it translates to not having to answer to the state at all.


"'For the past 10 years or so, URI has not done well, and in fact has missed a real wave of research effort nationally,” said Flanders, who also chairs the state Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education. “We feel we must take bold steps at this point. Studies show that for every $1 million invested in research, 36 jobs are created, and these are good jobs, high-paying, cutting-edge, technology jobs — the kind of jobs we want to grow in Rhode Island.'”


URI, says Kaplan, needs to run “less like a government agency and more like a business.”

Ah, there's a chilling statement. We're reaping the rewards of all this bunk that gov't is your enemy now, aren't we? URI needs to operate as a public university which is what it's supposed to be.

"The report stops short of calling for the privatization of URI, but President Carothers has said publicly that if the trend of diminishing state support continues at its current pace, URI will receive no state money by 2013, and will be, in effect, an institution entirely funded by tuition, fees and grants.

This year, the state is contributing just 11 percent of URI’s operating budget. A decade ago, the state contributed 26 percent."

But, but, we gave all those rich residents tax breaks? Didn't that help URI? What are they talking about?

Let's see: parking fees for URI- $260. Books- $700. Fees, fees, fees. No room at the gym to actually work out. Long lines at the cafe. Soaring tuitions. Tax breaks for the wealthiest. Give them tax breaks & they will come. Doesn't mean they'll spend anything, but they'll come. And we're a Democratic state? Good thing that they post parties on the voting ballots; otherwise, you'd never know.

Yeah, URI a private university. Thanks for nothing.

To see a copy of the report, visit: http://stac.ri.gov/news/2008/10/07/uri-commission-report/
Thanks to Projo's jjordan

URI's Dirty Little Secret

Generally I only have good things to say about URI, home base to my youngest son who loves it there.

However, I do have one major complaint echoed by others- the % of out-of-state admissions. Currently, most of the students are NOT Rhode Island residents. Some programs are worse than others- notably the Pharmacy School. I was unable to find stats for the various university programs giving the % of residents versus non-residents. And I'm good at find out info (former librarian).

Why is this? Well, duh, it's money. Out-of-staters pay substantially more in tuition. URI is #6 in state-supported schools with the highest number of out-of-state students. Out-of-staters pay 3x more! Understand now?

The pharmacy program is one of the most competitive programs at URI. Each year, more than 1,000 applicants pursue 90 available spots in the six-year Pharm.D. program. Construction of a new building for this prestigious program has begun. And who is paying for this building- WE ARE through a state bond! And who will be using it? Not many of us, to be sure.

Here is the 2007 pharmacy tuition for a state resident: $6,376. For a non-resident: $21,230. And let's not forget substantial fees.

Anyone know the % of in-state students in this program or any others? Most state schools offers preference admission to residents, but not all. We should be ashamed not only for the rising costs here, but the lack of residents. They are often just as well qualified, but not offering more tuition monies. Sad, especially considering that some of our industries are suffering from lack of qualified college grads. There seems to be a quota here of in-state admissions versus out-of-state admissions which we are not aware of and should be. Hello, Projo. You can look into this far better than I. Although, maybe not...

CCRI, RIC, & URI Hike Tuitions

When our State NEEDS more college grads, we raise tuitions. Around here, engineers of all sorts are hard-to-find. But tuitions are raised. Don't forget fees also. These can be surprisingly high & mount up fast when paying college costs. And then there is transportation...

RIC is up 10% & CCRI 8.6%. URI is up 6% for tuition AND fees. Pharmacy students (mostly out-of-state) will pay $500 more. RIC is %5,771 in tuition & fees with room & board appx. $8,000. CCRI is slight over $3,000. URI is $8,678 in tuition & fees with room & board at $10,000. These are all in-state costs. And the final kicker- "...the state scholarship program was cut by $2.6 million for the coming academic year."

Now let me delve into my memory banks- $2000 tuition, room & board at a private college for 3 yrs. One yr. at a state college with the $200 tuition waved for a state teachers' scholarship given to anyone who agree to teach in a public school for 2 yrs. 3.5% federally guaranteed loans, $500 in state scholarships, & a federal program to negate loans if you taught in a federally impacted area (like HERE). Jobs in the college, federal summer jobs for students, blah, blah. This was when I lived in Maryland. Yup, a tad different.

Over the past two years, lawmakers have cut state support to the three public colleges by $21.5 million, said Jack Warner, state commissioner of higher education.
Yesterday, he announced the colleges will have to cut another $6.1 million from their budgets, due to personnel cuts in the Department of Administration’s budget that recently came to light, bringing the total cuts to higher education closer to $27 million.

Not good. But why should we treat our state colleges and universities any different than we treat our local public school system?

Thanks to Projo reporter By Jennifer D. Jordan

Wild Plant Sale at URI this Sat.

Annual Plant Sale -- BEST NATIVE PLANT SALE IN RI! June 7, 2008 URI Greenhouses Flagg Road Kingston, RI Rain or shine
9:00am - 12:00 noon ... Open to the Public
10:30am ... Silent Auction for rare and collectible plants
Featuring: Wildflowers, perennials, annuals, native shrubs, pond plants and much more!
Link
www.riwps.org…

URI Bomb Scare

**UPDATE: I understand that all is clear now. My son was on the other side of campus. He says
that a bunch of mid-terms were going on in the building closed, so he believes that that may have had something to do with the scare.

One building has been evacuated & there are a lot of squad cars there. E-mails were sent out to students. My son left before that & he's there, but has not yet gotten back to me (it's possible his phone is dead). A friend of his told me about all the police cars.

How Much is URI Worth?

**Notice R.I. with the only minus number of -1.2%

"State-tax support for higher education climbed 7.5 percent in the 2007-8 budget year, to $77.5-billion, according to a national survey.... It was the highest annual increase since 1985."

Every year URI pleads for research funding with even the Economic Development Council throwing in. We have been at the bottom of the list for this funding for awhile. After 1970 the State reduced % funding, even while State revenues increased.

The following is from an 8 yr. old study published by URI's Dr. Logan. I'm also giving you some of his updated numbers here. If we're searching for economic engines for the present/future, seeking to attract good businesses here, and wanting the quality of life to improve for ALL out citizens- look no further.

The University of Rhode Island is the State’s only public Research University. It is also a Land Grant, a Sea Grant, and an Urban Grant institution. For each designation, URI has unique responsibilities as part of a system of national research universities.
The University is charged with conducting research for the public good and of educating the next generation of scientists, technicians, teachers, and leaders. URI differs from the other two Rhode Island public colleges in its commitment to offer advanced masters and doctoral degrees and by a commitment to sophisticated research and outreach. (link here)

....Research Universities conduct research in many applied fields neglected by industry or government. Examples of areas of investigation... include studies in health (other than pharmaceutical product development), alternative energy sources and energy conservation, and sustainable agricultural technologies which require lower use of fuels, fertilizers, and pesticides. Research Universities provide research and expertise needed for sophisticated environmental monitoring, ground water protection, land-use planning, and natural resource management and conservation

State funding currently accounts for 26 percent of the university's revenue (2008) while student tuition fees account for 62 percent. URI lost $5.5 million in state funding since last year, and more budget cuts are expected.

"We are one of the poorest-funded states in the country," Weygand [V.P] said. Carothers said URI receives $75 million from the state. According to the 2008 R.I. state budget appropriations, Rhode Island College receives $45 million, and the Community College of Rhode Island receives $49 million from the state.

Carothers [Pres.] said educating each student at URI costs an average of $19,000 per semester. In-state students are paying $8,000 in tuition and fees, and out-of-state students are paying $23,000 in tuition and fees. (Tyler Wills in The Good 5 Cent Cigar)

From the Projo:

The governor’s new budget plan will all but guarantee “a serious double-digit” increase in tuition at the state’s three public colleges....," said Higher Education Commissioner Jack R. Warner.
Further, the governor told the state’s Higher Education Assistance Authority to cut more than $1 million in need-based scholarships administered through the Rhode Island State Grant Program.

So what is the right amout for students to pay? How much is a public university worth to we the people? Our economic engine is right under our noses.

URI- R.I.'s Most Undervalued Resource

Recent news:

New School of Communcation being formed. "Major donors have expressed considerable interest in the school," said Brownell [Dean], noting that the naming of the school as well as endowments for the directorship, professorships, programs, undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships are being discussed. This new school will be formed (within different bldgs. for the present) in the Dept. of Arts & Sciences. The units are the College Writing Program, Department of Communication Studies, Department of Journalism, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, and the Program in Film Media.

The School will continue to offer two graduate degrees: a master of library science (my degree) and a master of arts in communication studies—and five bachelor of arts undergraduate degrees: in communication studies, film media, journalism, public relations, and writing and rhetoric.. Currently there are about 1,200 undergraduate and about 300 graduate students majoring in the programs.

Keykavous Parang, an associate professor of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences in the College of Pharmacy, has been awarded more than $1.2 million during the last year for his promising cell- and chemistry-based research on two of the world’s major killers---cancer and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The American Cancer Society has awarded Parang a four-year, $627,000 grant to continue his studies on Src, a cell protein linked closely to the development of breast, colon, lung, ovarian, gastric and pancreatic cancers. Gongqin Sun, an associate professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, is the co-principal investigator for both grants.

Today, URI joins more than 1,550 universities and other institutions on Jan. 31 in the nation’s largest teach-in in history. The event, called Focus the Nation, is a non-partisan educational initiative designed to engage educators and the public in developing solutions to global warming.

URI's Making A Difference Campaign seeks $100 million to recruit and retain outstanding faculty, enhance the student-centered campus experience, provide undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships, and fund cutting-edge academic and research initiatives. “... URI students will have a chance to participate in teaching, research, and outreach programs that work toward achieving peace in the world. With our nation engaged in war and facing violence every day in our cities and countryside, now is the most critical time to invest in peace and nonviolence. We can make a difference here and throughout the world.”

The Champlin Foundations has awarded the University of Rhode Island $560,860 for six advanced technology projects in the areas of film studies, journalism and film media, underwater and coastal archaeology, environment and life sciences, physical therapy, and the honors program. The 2007 grant awards mark the 25th consecutive year that URI and its students have benefited from The Champlin Foundations’ generosity.

Thanks to the grant writers, including Ignacio Perez-Ibanez of Newport, senior information technologist in Information and Instructional Technology Services.

URI- a better investment than film tax credits!

Republicans Plan URI Tuition Increases

While listening to "A Lively Experiment" I heard the NEA's Bob Walsh bring up the Republican's Jelly Doughnut Solution as his "weekly outrage." BTW- my weekly outrage was no women on this program. He mentioned that since URI receives 15% (actually it's 14%, Bob, but close enough) of the State budget for funding, the Republican solution would mean that in two years it would only receive 5% funding. Uh-oh. Since my son is now a frosh at URI, I decided to follow up on this.

This from the URI Foundation website:

The State of Rhode Island contributes just 14 percent of URI’s operating budget, compared with 24 percent a decade ago.
To help make up this shortfall, URI has increased tuition an average of 7.5 percent each year over the past five years. These increases have made it more challenging for students with limited financial resources to pursue URI degrees.

What does this mean? My son attends URI & annually pays tuition $6400 & fees $2200 ( health insurance can add another $1000 unless you can prove in a timely fashion that you have it- I was not quick enough) amounting to appx. $8700. Of course, this does not include books, transportation, or housing/food. Campus housing (if you can get it & he could not) is $2751 per semester ($400 less for a triple) & food (many diff't options)- appx. $2000 per semester.


Now if they increase tuition 7.5% each year with 14% funding, let's extrapolate that. With 4% State funding, tuition will be increased 30% over a two year period & then 7.5% thereafter. This translates into appx. $550-600 increase each year after the initial $1800 increase. So in 3 years my son's tuition will be $9000 (quite a jump from the initial $6400) plus fees (no choice here & I figured in no increase) =$11,200. Throw in housing, & food (with no increases) and it's now over $20,000/yr. Not such a great buy now.

How does one justify this in an age demanding an educated force? Oh, I know how they do it. We fool everyone into thinking we're reducing taxes while what they are really doing is increasing tuition, fees, etc. so that the rich get richer and the rest of us ...well, who really cares. Only those who can afford it (rich) should be in college anyway. Isn't this the point of the new "ownership society?" A few have everything while everyone else is on "their own" with no social support whatsoever? But, wait, we're the everyone. We're "the people." When does government start remembering that? Maybe when we do & vote/act accordingly. Forget the "Jelly Doughnut Solution." It's just not worth if for what will only be a fleeting, momentary delight with rather unpleasant consequences.

URI to Research Offshore Energy Projects

URI just rec'd $200,000 to begin researching offshore energy projects (primarily wind farms) from the R.I. Office of Energy Resources.

URI scientists, engineers and oceanographers will study the effects associated with alternative energy projects, including their impact on wildlife, commercial fishing, navigation, coastline views and the environment.
Essentially, the URI research will help create zoning regulations for uses such as permitting wind farms and protecting waters for commercial fishing or boat routes, said state energy commissioner Andrew Dzykewicz. “As soon as this is done we will get a lot of interest from the development mmunity,” Dzykewicz said. “If it is going to work any place it will work in Rhode Island.”

The Coastal Resourcest Management Council has already rec'd applications to utilize R.I. water for wind projects. These requests will be placed on hold for the 18 mos. or so until this reserach & zoning is complete.
These results should prove interesting. Wind projects have faced problems in many U.S. coastal proposed projects on the eastern seaboard & been turned down. That's why they are all sniffing around here (we're not their first choice).What this seems to say is that we will proceed with these wind projects, but first a little research. Make no doubt about it- these projects involved big bucks & high profits with fed'l tax credits proferred. Caution should reign here. Once you've got these things up, there ain't no going back.
See the previous series on this from Anthony Spiratos of Newport & Middletown. Our District is a prime target of these energy entrepeneurs. It's important to know the good, bad, & the ugly these projects involve rather than just the State's happy talk. Evidently they really don't care what the residents of these areas think- yet. Big Daddy will decide for us. Will local inhabitants receive any benefits at all or will it be share & share alike?
This is the time to ask these questions (and there are lots to be asked), since some of the answers seem to be already in place (we will be zoned).
Thanks to Projo.

URI one of 290 Best in World

I head this on WADK one morning. The College of Business Admin. of URI is on the list of 290 Best in the World compiled by the Princeton Review. I think that is pretty neat.
My son is entrolled in this program & it is quite competitive with a long waiting list of applicants. My hubby think that Econ. would be a better major, but who knows. My son is happy with his choice.
I think that this is quite a coup & am surprised it did not make it to more local news sources. It's nice to hear good news & is a real credit to the State. The link has more details on the program.

URI Orientation

My baby is going to URI. We went to Orientation recently. The students go to one & family to another. We joined for a little while (didn't see him though) for a speech from Dr. McWalters & the Dean. Then there was a skit - maybe 20 min. - put on by the twenty or so kids who are conducting the student's orientation. They were super!! It was concerning new students & their concerns/worries.

There are over 3000 frosh & they run 7 of these things with slightly over 200 kids. They all take a 1 cr. course first semester to intro. them to college life. Nicely done. Tim is in the Business Program (harder entrance qualifications) and I wonder if he knows what he is doing! Ugh! The coursework didn't sound like much fun to a Liberal Artser like me. I think he'd be happier with major Economics, but we'll see. Only a week ago he was still in high school! What a change. I'll have to spend real bucks now to buy him clothes rather than a sturdy uniform.

Only a yr. of language (I had to take two). No Phys. Ed. (I had to take two yrs.). He is not in a dorm. Three to a room is a crime. I don't see how there is even any room to dress. No wonder they all wear such booring, repetetive outfits - they only have room for about 3. And all those electronics! I'm surprised the fire dept. doesn't shut them down. I think it's dangerous, no matter what plans you have for emergencies. You'd get more room in the service, probably in prison, too.

Still in all, URI is a bargain. Always has been. I completed two post-grad programs there. They need to improve prof's pay, though, to improve overall quality & expand the nursing program.

It's a pretty campus though with a quad. Reminds me of my college - Washington College in Chestertown, Md., just outside of Annapolis. The sixth oldest college in Amer., but not nearly as large as URI.

He stayed overnight for Orientation (parents could stay too), but I passed. They were going to keep him busy until 11 p.m. last night. He comes home later today & should have his Sept. schedule. Hopefully, I'll get more info but you never know with a teener. Sometimes he can't stop talking & sometimes he has zilch to say. It's quiet around here without him telling us all what to do & how to do it.