OSU has increased tuition-and-fees for all incoming freshmen by 4.1%. All out-of-state students will have an increase in the non-resident surcharge by 4.8%. Incoming out-of-state freshmen are subject to both the tuition and fees and the surcharge increases. Incoming freshmen living on campus will have an increase in housing and dining costs by 2.5%. Those using student health insurance will see a  increase by 1.5% in these costs (The Lantern). 

Due to the current pandemic, students have seen a change in their schedules, as more and more of their classes are being put online. It is unfair that students must continue to pay full tuition when they are not getting the same education as they would in a traditional classroom setting. 

Without traditional classroom settings, it is much harder for students to learn, leading to a decrease in their GPA, decrease in understanding and learning and less accessibility to labs that are needed for the course. Understanding the current circumstances, OSU is unable to provide those classes in person. However that should not excuse the university to charge students and their families an increase in tuition for a reduction of learning. The education students pay for is meant to foster understanding, learning and growth to prepare them for their careers. A disruption to this system could drastically impact learning and students should not have to bare the financial burden.

Additionally this is a time of financial strain for numerous families. Adding an increase in tuition on top of already debt inducing tuition prices sets students up for a lifetime of financial struggle. Although financial aid will be adjusted to accommodate the increase in fees, countless students and families are still in need of more financial aid in light of the pandemic. 

If The Ohio State University truly understands the wellbeing of their students more than the profit they make from tuition-and-fees, they would adjust the costs to accurately represent the value of remote learning students receive and the situations families are being put in currently.