Sewanee Decreases Tuition

The University of the South - Sewanee

Did anyone hear the story on “All Things Considered” Thursday about The University of the South – Sewanee – and its radical move to actually lower its tuition next year by 10 percent?

I call this radical because, as we all know, college tuition increases on a regular basis. In fact, the statistic used in the story is that college tuition has grown at twice the rate of inflation. And while Hubby and I have 529 savings plans for our kids, when I begin thinking of what college will cost in the next 10 to 15 years, it makes my head spin. I have to quickly think of something else to avoid having a panic attack.

I thought it was a great move on Sewanee’s part. One of the most prestigious schools in the South, if not the country, Sewanee saw the need to make the school more affordable and accessible. Over the last few years, the school has been losing students to the University of Georgia, a public university with a much lower price tag, yet still a good institution from which to earn your degree. Perhaps more prestige is associated with Sewanee, but if you can get a great education without being nearly as overwhelmed with high fees and student loans – especially in this day and age – which would you choose?

What are your thoughts on the cost of a college education? Do you think other schools will follow Sewanee’s lead? Or are we going to see tuition increase over time until it’s out of reach for many and only available to the privileged few?

To read Sewanee's statement on the price decrease, visit their website.
Image from npr.org

For Those Bound for College...

Found some of these back-to-school items for college students. For those of you with a university-bound kiddo or friend, you may want to consider these items (saying this tongue-in-cheek, mind you).

The College Care Gift Bag from Star Provisions - for only $175, you can send your college student off to school with:

• 1 Star Provisions feed bag
• 1 Star Provisions baseball cap
• 1 Bodum Brazil 12oz french coffee press
• 1 lb bag Dancing Goats coffee
• 2 heavy hall china plates
• 2 heavy hall cereal bowls
• 2 heavy hall mugs
• 12 disposable wooden place settings flatware
• 1 box Hot Tamale candy
• 2 boxed candy cigarettes
• 1 ear popcorn on the cob
• 1 bag bourbon caramel corn
• 1 Orla Kiely composition book
• 1 table top ping pong set

Hmm, this sounds like a swag bag for Holden Caulfield, not the average college student I know. But, hey, maybe kids are more sophisticated these days. Should we be concerned that it contains stimulants, fake tobacco products and bourbon laced caramal corn? Hmmm.

The Alfie Khaki Bag from Elements is an upscale alternative to your L.L. Bean backpack. It features a back slot for your laptop or iPad, but at $240, I’m going to have to pass.

A more affordable item is the Dorm Survival Kit from Mr. & Mrs. It contains a book light, caffeine gum, eye mask, earplugs, a first aid kit, thermometer, laundry bag, laundry instructions, sewing kit, air freshener, poster adhesive and screwdriver. Laundry instructions - really? Geez, parents, get your kids on board with doing the laundry long before college.

I found these oh-so-practical items among other great finds on Taigon. If you haven’t visited this luxury online retail site, be sure to stop by. While most items are not in my budget, it’s fun to browse anyway.

TGIF, folks. Have a great weekend!

Best College in the South

I have to give a shout-out to Hubby’s alma mater, Centre College, which has just been named “Best College in the South” by Forbes. Way to go Colonels!

Hubby and I attended very different schools for undergrad. He went to a small, private liberal arts college, while I attended a large state university (the flag-ship remind, you), both in the Central Kentucky region. We bring two very different experiences to the table, which I think will be helpful when our kids are researching colleges. (We both went away to school, though, which I think is very important to get the full college experience. But, that's another entry for another time.)

While my husband teases me about my Cats (he grew up a Louisville fan; I still love him despite that fact), I know deep down he really likes the University of Kentucky – he did go to grad school there after all. And, I have grown to have a great fondness for Centre, through what I've heard from Hubby over the years and seen when I’ve visited the school. You can’t help but feel a special aura about the place when you step on the campus. And every graduate I’ve known feels that way.

So, I raise a toast to Centre College for earning yet another fine distinction. And, I say a prayer that when it’s time for our kids to attend Centre, they either have been awarded academic scholarships, or we have won the lottery.

P.S. – I should also recognize the number three school on that list, Washington and Lee University, where my BIL attended undergrad and years later, his lovely wife, my SIL, was a professor. Talk about a picturesque campus – gorgeous!