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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Southeastern - What a "Big Lots"-level Bargain Compared to Texas!

Southeastern Louisiana University Student Unio...Image via Wikipedia

OK, OK, all the time, we hear how low our tuition is compared to our peer institutions in neighboring states - much less in comparison to national figures. Well, the bottom line is that an education at Southeastern is a bargain - a Tuesday Morning, Big Lots, Dollar Tree-level bargain compared to what students pay in Texas (even BEFORE TOPS kicks in!).

This was driven home by reading this article by Erin Mulvaney of the Dallas Morning News:
Texas' financial aid for college students could dwindle even more | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

Her article spoke to the rapid rise that in tuition and fees that has occurred over the past five years or so across the landscape of Texas public colleges and universities (and trust me, you will see sticker shock!). Now, I'm not quite yet in the teen college shopping experience just yet, but Mulvaney's article prompted me to do a little research comparing the total tab at my alma mater (Stephen F. Austin) and Southeastern. According to the tuition and fee calculator on their website, your Fall 2010 tuition and fees at Stephen F. Austin State University would run you - are you sitting down - $3,498.75 if you are a Texas resident or if you are from Louisiana, you would still be able to pay at that level due to the fact they offer Louisiana-residents a "border state rate." What's your tab for Fall 2010 at Southeastern Louisiana University - even AFTER our 10% tuition increase - $2,014.80. OK, quick math - that means for the same size, same level school, the Texas version would run you $1,483.95 - almost 74% more! Multiply that by a full academic year and then times the 4, 5, 6 years you would be attending - hey, that's your new Hyundai or a nice down payment on a house (and again, that's based on the tab BEFORE your TOPS scholarship applies)!

When you look at those kind of numbers, you understand why our higher education leaders keep emphasizing how low our tuition is and while yes, it makes your happy today, but to stay a leading university, Southeastern and all Louisiana institutions have to have a proper level of support AND students paying a bill that is not at the "Big Lots" level!

David

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Want to Increase Freshman Retention and Progression?: Encourage Facebook - Really!

Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru...Image via CrunchBase

OK, the real shock for anyone who has been out of college for 20, 10, or even 5 years when they see students in a college classroom or the library today is the omnipresence of students "working" on their laptops and netbooks. Often times, even in the classroom environment, students will be on Facebook even while "learning" is taking place. Should we do as many of my colleagues would do and slam the laptop shut (not too hard, please!) or should Facebooking be encouraged!

Well, according to a new study featured in the Chronicle of Higher Education's Wired Campus section, Facebook may actually play a role in helping students stay connected on campus and succeed (and most importantly these days - stay and progress!). Read the full article here:
http://chronicle.com/blogPost/The-Latest-Stay-in-School-Tool/26705/?sid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en

Interesting stuff...pass along (even to your Prof!)....

David

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