Due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic causing an economic collapse with unemployment, and significant demand and limited supply of basic commodities, most of the world economy has been experiencing an inflation period. Inflation is an economic event where there is a rise in the prices of goods and the purchasing value of the dollar falls.  

The past two years have been impactful to college and university students. From going through a deadly pandemic to a presidential election that seemed to put the country at a grinding stop. Every day for the past two years, students might have felt as if their lives were in a very long chapter in a history textbook, and the most recent development has been the ever mounting issue of inflation.  

Over the past few months, inflation has affected important commodities like groceries and gas. Unfortunately, inflation has also affected students directly here at USAO with a 3% increase to the College’s tuition cost. 

President John Feaver explains the institution’s decision to increase student’s costs. 

“In a given year, you can’t necessarily calculate that if you have a 10% inflation, you ask for a 10% increase in tuition. You can’t ask that of students.” 

This was fairly low compared to other state institutions, with other colleges and universities raising their tuition by 5-5.5%. Although this rise in costs is not something students want to see, President Feaver reassures members of the Science and Arts community that the tuition rising every year is not something they have to anticipate. In fact, in 3 out of the last 5 years, there were no tuition increases at USAO.  

In addition to inflation, President Feaver, with his professional opinion, believes that there will be a recession to follow. This would not be reflected in tuition. Instead, it could be reflected in cutting positions if the recession is not mild. He goes on to say that is not something he wants to happen because this school cannot afford to cut the talent we have.   

For more information about the cost of Science and Arts tuition, speak with the financial aid office or visit https://usao.edu/financial-aid/index.html

Chandler Leamon-Webb is a second-year Political Science major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.