The Record

Bennies question tuition hike benefits, raise over St. John’s

By: Kira Garrett

CSB President MaryAnn Baenninger spoke at the St. Ben’s Senate meeting Wednesday, addressing, this time, student sena- tors instead of faculty and staff.

“I called and requested to come in,” Baenninger said. “I think it is the appropriate thing to do and I hope that we can set a regular schedule for doing this each year.”

Baenninger’s comments came after she and SJU President Fr. Bob Koopmann informed faculty that St. Ben’s would increase tuition at a higher rate than St. John’s for the first time in the joint institution’s history.

Many students were frustrated they were not informed first about this differential tuition increase.

“I don’t understand why they made presentations to faculty and staff when it’s students who are going to be paying more, not the people who work here,” sophomore Amanda Bednar said. “They should really inform the student body first.” Baenninger hoped to clarify her reasoning for the budget changes and answer any questions the senate might have for her.

“Tuition applies to every single thing that is not room and board,” Baenninger said.

Most students, she said, think tuition encompasses only faculty - student interaction, but it also includes everything from lawn care to faculty/staff salaries.

While most students who have voiced their opinions about the tuition increase so far have expressed concern with the budget proposal, Baenninger said the alumni she has spoken with support the tuition hike.

“The alums I have talked to have been excited about this,” Baenninger said. “You will be alums someday and you will want the school to keep gaining value because then the value of your degree will also continue to go up.”

Many students have a hard time sharing this attitude, though, since their bills are increasing now but they won’t reap the benefits of the increase.

“We are in a recession and need to look at the present situation instead of just looking to the future,” junior Emily Dauk said.

Other students remain confused about the additional opportunities promised them. Baenninger is dedicated to providing, “enrichment opportunities for Bennies,” which includes many programs CSB students do not necessarily see, Baenninger said.

“I just want to know what exactly we, as St. Ben’s students, are getting that Johnnies won’t,” junior Malinda Koralewski said.

One senator asked if Johnnie’s would be at a disadvantage because of the tuition difference.

Baenninger reminded students that Bennies statistically are taking advantage of more programming than St. John’s students are. Because of this, CSB is not offering opportunities exclusively to CSB students, but is instead investing money in programming that is more appealing to Bennies.

“It’s not like we are saying Johnnies can’t do this, we are just directing money to things women will take advantage of,” Baenninger said. “It’s not an obligation for CSB to financially provide opportunities for St. John’s students,” Baenninger said.

While Johnnie’s opinions are varied on the topic, junior Peter Fourniea does not think he will be disadvantaged as a St. John’s student.

“Actually, I think I am at an advantage because I am not paying as much,” Fourniea said. “It’s hard to be concerned about it because I don’t think (St. Ben’s) students really know what advantages they are getting by having a higher tuition.”

The majority of the students polled share the same confusion about exactly what benefits the higher tuition will provide Bennies, so Baenninger briefly presented a slide in her presentation which listed some of the uses for the extra tuition dollars.

“We are dedicated to helping women get fellowships,” Baenninger said, and CSB will hire a representative who will help St. Ben’s students apply for fellowships, in addition to the current representative who provides aid to both Bennies and Johnnies.

Baenninger has also made clear her aspirations to lessen the gap between tuition amounts at St. Ben’s and its peers like St. Olaf and Gustavus Adolphus. Many students are weary of this goal.

“I don’t like MaryAnn’s goals to make our tuition similar to some of the other schools,” Dauk said. “I came to St. Ben’s because I wanted to go to a private college in Minnesota and St. Ben’s was the most affordable. If we raise our tuition to match St. Olaf, there is no incentive to come here verse going there.”

While Baenninger has not yet officially addressed the student body, she spoke with the senate about scheduling a forum in which she would answer questions students have. The forum would take place sometime after Spring Break, but has not yet been finalized.

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