FOR: A tuition hike is exactly what UA needs

President Likins is right on the money with his plan to increase tuition next year. Although the Arizona State constitution states that our state universities shall provide education that is "as nearly free as possible," it is the most responsible solution to raise tuition and pour the extra money back into the university.

Raising tuition by $300 for in-state students and $1,000 for out-of-state is absolutely a reasonable plan.

The extra revenue generated by this hike could go toward raising teachers' salaries, helping university departments stay afloat and thereby drawing more students to UA anyway.

Students will pay a few bucks extra if it means better teachers and a better education in general.

Keeping tuition "as nearly free as possible" is a vague standard to hold UA to. Likins should raise tuition. UA is counting on it.

AGAINST: Don't let the state get away with it

President Likins has decided to let the state Legislature off the hook.

The state knows it can cut our university's budget and leave other state programs untouched for two reasons: The Legislature knows it's the most politically viable solution, and it knows it can get away with it.

In a state that is as supposedly as fiscally conservative as this one, it is absurd to allow these cuts to go by the board.

Likins has essentially given up on holding the state accountable and has decided to take his lack of persistence out on the students.

Tuition increased by 6 percent for 2001-02, prior to a smaller 4 percent cut the year before. It's true that UA's tuition is still among the lowest in the country, but that's no reason for increasing our tuition at an annual rate that exceeds inflation.

Now, the powers that be are trying to impose a 12 percent hike on in-state students and a 9.7 percent increase for out-of-state students for 2002-03.

Our state budget shortfall is the only reason that some, who would normally be boisterously opposed to such a raise, are letting Likins and the state get away with this.

Arizona's fiscal irresponsibility needs to stop. UA needs to make the first move.