Categories: OPINION

Inequalities in tuition are a form of discrimination

By MARKO DELIC
Contributor

The recent statement that we – the international students – are provided with extra resources just does not ring true in my mind, or minds of many other international students I encounter daily as the president of the International Student Association at this college.

This claim was made by the college’s CFO to justify a 3 percent increase in international students’ tuition.

My family paid for the following: the internet I used to apply to the college, for obtaining my visa and all the fees that came with it, the plane ticket I used to come here and my tuition. No limo, red carpet, personal guide – nothing.

I paid with my nerves to get an on-campus job (since I am unable to get one off-campus due to my visa regulations), to do just as much work as any other student domestic or otherwise.

I paid with hard work to see the club I am currently leading grow without the extra resources it used to have: the International Student Center lounge.

Well, the International Student Center (and its lounge) is only yet another lounge now. It is accessible to everyone. It co-exists with the Women’s Resources Center, which is why it’s still there, although it does not serve its intended purpose.

What are the resources international students are provided with that justify an upping of three percent to our tuition?

Is it the well-structured and thorough advising that did not exist this past semester? Is it the availability of tutors that teach different academics in foreign languages that also does not exist? If these resources existed, the argument would possibly be valid.

International students are to pay taxes (at least the ones on F–1 Visa are), and there are no resources that bring the outrageous cluster of information and forms closer to the students. Not to mention the disorganization that led to a delay in informing students of their obligation to pay taxes. Some may, in fact, miss the deadline. Google what may be the consequence because I do not dare to.

The tuition is already high enough. I remember applying to Washtenaw in 2013 because I was impressed by the affordable tuition and flexible and amiable staff. As the days go by, I tend to stress more over simplest things that for a possible new student would be a sign not to join the community of Washtenaw.

Is this what the college is trying to do with the three percent upping? Is it trying to lessen diversity of the student body?

International students already pay about three times the in-state student’s tuition. There is also no financial aid available for international students.

In my eyes, different upping percentages scream discrimination, because there are currently no extra resources that satisfy the drop in my bank account.