Starting the 2015-2016 academic year, Point Park will be experiencing a tuition increase that will affect students across the University, including academic majors and the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA). 

The University’s tuition is increasing to $27,000, or 3.9 percent, and the Conservatory will increase 4.9 percent to $34,400, according to a statement released by the Office of the President. 

Most students do not know where this raise in tuition is going, but this concern was addressed and plans for this money were stated in an interview with President Paul Hennigan last Wednesday. 

“The No. 1 cost driver of the University’s new budget is financial aid,” said Hennigan on the 7th floor of Academic Hall. “Almost every single student receives financial aid who attends Point Park.” 

Along with financial aid, the increases will also go toward the new core curriculum and staffing for the 43 new courses. The higher tuition will also fund the pathways program, which helps freshmen stay on path to graduate on time, Wi-Fi throughout the entire campus, and safety upgrades, including new pressurized stairwells in the residence halls in case of fires and many more sprinklers. Lastly, the raise will also enhance career services by hiring full-time professionals to work with students in their major, meaning hiring more staff for classes, according to Hennigan. 

Hennigan also explained why the Conservatory has a higher increase. 

“The cost of providing the Conservatory is significantly greater than the other schools offered at our university,” Hennigan said. 

With talk from students, there have been rumors of where this money is going, which Hennigan put to rest. 

“There is not a dime of tuition money toward Village Park,” Hennigan said. “Village Park was all community fundraised just like how the Pittsburgh Playhouse Project will be completely fundraised, and lastly, the bison in the lobby of Academic Hall was a gift from an anonymous donor.” 

When the raise in tuition was announced, many students were concerned. 

Freshman political science major Davion Heron had faith that the increase was going to the right place. 

“I chose this school,” Heron said. “I love it here too much to just leave because of tuition raise. I can only assume the money will be used toward important things like the campus itself and the staff.” 

Alexa Yanyanin, a freshman public relations major, understood the necessity of raising tuition, but wants more transparency from the University. 

“Tuition increases are evident. We all knew it was coming…I just wish I knew where my money is going” said Yanyanin. 

Senior biology major and United Student Government President Julian Singleton also spoke to the inevitability of tuition increases. 

“Tuition is raised every year since I have gone to school here,” Singleton said. “It’s a necessary evil of life.” 

The Student Solidary Organization (SSO) at Point Park is fighting to know more about why tuition is being raised. As an organization, the group sees the raise as completely unnecessary. 

Hana Valle, head of the student’s rights campaign for SSO, said students are “racking up” debt despite receiving scholarships and financial aid. 

“We’re drowning in our debt and with this tuition increase, Point Park is simply adding to this problem,” said Valle, a psychology and global cultural studies double major. 

One of SSO’s main concerns is tuition transparency – letting students know where their tuition money is going and why. 

“Students are essentially investing in both the University and our future,” Valle said. “Any smart investor would not give tens of thousands of dollars for years without a clear understanding of how that money was being used or without some indication that the investment would pay off.” 

SSO is not the only organization that feels strongly about the tuition increase. USG agrees tuition transparency is necessary to soothe student concerns about where their money is going. 

“They want tuition transparency, which is completely reasonable to ask for. I think that is the first proper step to solving the students’ concerns,” Singleton said. 

The tuition has now been set, and although there are different opinions on the hike, Hennigan offered his final words for the students. 

“We understand, I am well aware, how difficult it is to pay for college,” Hennigan said. “I also know that college is an enormously valuable pay off and investment. Students need to look at their education as an investment of their future.”