Because of COVID-19, the landscape of higher education is changing. Students at Penn State University know this too well. On June 14, President Eric Baron announced that students would return to State College in the fall to return to a “new normal” on one condition: many classes will be online. Because of this, many of students will have classes both in person and on Zoom but will still be charged the same tuition.

Class quality is just not the same online as it is in person and is detrimental to both student learning and community morale, which we witnessed during the second half of the Spring 2020 semester.

Penn State is one of the most expensive public flagship universities in the country, and charges students a higher tuition for learning experiences and amenities that cannot be experienced while in a dorm, apartment, or at home. Until the extenuating circumstance ceases to exist, students of The Pennsylvania State University should pay tuition like World Campus students (per credit) or a flat rate depending on how many credits we are taking through Zoom. This will ensure the integrity that is integral to Penn Staters and continue to keep all people in this community safe during this time of crisis. WE ARE!