Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The University should allot more time for students to receive a 100 percent refund on their tuition when dropping a course at the beginning of a new semester. Currently, a 90 percent refund policy begins the first day of class, so a student loses the opportunity for a refund on a class before even attending.
Therefore, if you go to class on the first day and the syllabus outlines a work load you can’t handle, your TA doesn’t speak English, you decide to be an engineer instead of a creative writer, you discover learning Mandarin Chinese isn’t for you, or any of the other valid reasons one could have for dropping a course, you are losing 10 percent of what you paid. Essentially students are losing money for showing up for a syllabus and plagiarism/attendance talk. The University rationalizes this policy as one that ultimately benefits students.
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If you want the University to extend the period it offers full refunds for classes, contact the Registrar’s office at (785) 864-4423, or e-mail the office at kuregistrar@ku.edu
“It is the University’s responsibility to manage its academic resources so that they benefit the largest number of students,” said Jill Jess Associate Director of News and Media Relations. “When a student does not intend to attend or complete a class but remains enrolled after the semester begins, he or she may deprive another student of a place in that class. The refund policy helps remind students of the importance of finalizing their plans for the semester in a timely manner.”
Reader poll
How long should students have to get a full refund for dropped classes?
- The day classes start 25% 46 votes
- 2-3 days after classes start 18% 34 votes
- 4-6 days after classes start 12% 23 votes
- 1-2 weeks after classes start 24% 45 votes
- More than two weeks after classes start 18% 33 votes
181 total votes.
But having the 100 percent refund extend into the first week of the semester is not going to prevent a student from enrolling in a class they really want to take, even if the class doesn’t have an open spot until after school starts exploration. In addition to this, students do not have a clear understanding of class expectations until actually going to class. If the policy is going to remain as it is, syllabi need to be available before the 100 percent refund period ends.
The University wants students to make the best decisions possible, but they are not giving students the proper resources to do so. Students are responsible enough to “finalize plans in a timely manner” and be refunded the money they deserve.
The University receives its largest portion of money directly from students paying tuition, and should be treating students accordingly.
This is the only Board of Regents-accredited university in Kansas that doesn’t allow at least some class time before offering less than a full refund, and the policy has been like this for at least a decade. It is time for a review of this policy, which is inconsistent with students’ needs, and with other schools’ standards. Kansas State University allows 14 days of class before the 100 percent refund period ends. Emporia State’s 100 percent refund extends for 15 days, and Wichita State allows five days.
If the University wants to continue being a forerunner in Kansas this money hoarding policy needs to be adjusted to better serve students.
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Comments
Editorial: Longer refund period needed
"Money hoarding" - great choice of words. Unfortunately it seems KU tends to employ many practices that exploit students, and they do it because they're the top university in the state and people will keep coming no matter what.
Students need to realize something that the administration clearly knows: in the end, the university is a business, and every business is in it to make money. As its customers, we need to demand the service we deserve. We need a money back guarantee.
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