Franklin & Marshall College president, Barbara Altmann, announced on July 1st that the college plans to reopen for residential learning for the Fall 2020 semester using a blended model of in-person and online instruction. Students understand a partial online semester has been implemented to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and that the possibility of complete online instruction exists. However, we are frustrated that tuition for this model of learning will not just stay the same, but increase by 3.5% from the Spring 2020 semester. Furthermore, the cost of tuition for those who choose remote learning during the Fall 2020 semester is the same as on-campus learning.

As many have experienced during the weeks of remote learning during the Spring 2020 semester, online learning is nowhere near as effective as the liberal arts in-person experience. We pay tuition not just for classes, but also for campus facilities, resources, activities, and a personalized setting with faculty and classmates. We feel that tuition costs for the Fall 2020 semester should reflect these differences. 

COVID-19 has had a great impact on many within our F&M community. We demand that not only the 3.5% tuition increase be eliminated, but that total tuition be significantly decreased due to altered learning environment in the midst of such unprecedented times.