The University of Chicago (UChicago) Graduate School Fall 2020 Tuition Reduction Petition

As the pandemic is swelling, most of the graduate students at the University of Chicago have to study remotely during the Fall Quarter. It is obvious that we will have a diminished learning experience. Thus, we call for a reduction in tuition for the Fall Quarter. Some reasons for this petition:

• Our tuition is not paying for what it traditionally pays for. Based on the comparison of Harvard Extension School courses to Harvard College courses, online education only charges 30% of in-person education for identical courses. Besides, we will not be able to access most of the resources on campus.
• Many students and families are facing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The rewards of tuition are decreasing. President Donald Trump has tried to restrict visas for international students. International students, around 50% of all graduate students, are facing increased uncertainties because of travel restrictions and potentially restrictive OPT policy. They may have inferior learning experiences and limited career options. Students, especially those who have been admitted to a one-year program, would expect that their career after graduate school is negatively affected by COVID-19. Schools may not recruit as many funded PhD students as before. Companies may lay off employees.

With these and other concerns, admitted students may not choose to pay their tuition and drop out. We reckon that the University of Chicago would not like to see its students leave and fall short in their potential. With a reduction in tuition, many more students will choose to pay the tuition. As a result, a reduction in tuition for the Fall Quarter will increase the revenue of UChicago. American University has announced that they will be providing graduate students a 10 percent discount on tuition for the Fall semester. Georgetown University has announced that they will be providing graduate students a 5 percent discount on tuition for the Fall semester. Princeton University, Harvard University, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, and some universities in other countries have reduced tuition and offered financial support as well. We hope UChicago can join them and be an exemplar of higher education. Our world urgently needs well-educated talents for diagnosing and eradicating COVID-19, researching the cure and vaccines, and making better policies. Affordable education leads to a better society, especially during this hard time.