2008 Woodie Awards
U.I. rate increase is costly
Susan Patton
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
With the recent approval for the United Illuminating Company (U.I.) to raise energy rates, opening utility bills may come as a shock for both the university's financial department and students.
U.I. was approved to raise its rates as much as 50 percent by July 2007 compared to July 2006. These rates will not only impact students living off-campus, but will also affect tuition and room and board fees for 2007 and 2008.
"We always try to keep tuition as low as we can but the United Illuminating Company increase will be considered, it has to be a priority to us," said Julie Savino, Dean of University Financial Assistance. "How much tuition will go up? We're not sure."
Tuition increases for Sacred Heart University have been, "historically average or below average compared to other schools of our type," said Savino.
Off-campus students will also see a spike in their monthly utility costs.
"Living off campus for the first time this year, I have learned a lot more about bills and how much a small increase, let alone a large one like United Illuminating Company's, can effect a budget," said Alexis Sorrentino, junior, New Haven.
Alana Hassell, junior, city, N.Y., said that the United Illuminating Company is becoming "Gucci priced electricity."
Parents are also concerned with how the energy price increase will affect everyone.
"I certainly don't want to see tuition increase due to United Illuminating Company rate hike, however, I do not see that Sacred Heart University will have many options with this sizeable price jump," said Mary Patton, parent of a Sacred Heart University student.
Patton said she hopes that the school begins an all-college energy campaign to educate students and staff on methods of cutting energy consumption.
Sacred Heart is not the only one facing these problems. Colleges across the United States are facing exorbitant increases in utility expenses with a number of universities being forced to add surcharges to tuition costs.
According to both, the Commonfund Institute's Higher Education Price Index and the College Board, energy and utility costs have nearly doubled within the past five years.
The average college student stashes an inordinate number of electrical appliances in their dorm rooms. High definition televisions (HDTV), stereos, cell phones, refrigerators, microwaves, hair dryers, printers and computers are standard equipment for most students.
In order to keep tuition increases at a minimum, all students, parents, and staff have a responsibility to put pressure on the state to encourage power companies to investigate alternative energy sources.
"We're doing everything we can to be efficient as an institution," said Savino.
U.I. was approved to raise its rates as much as 50 percent by July 2007 compared to July 2006. These rates will not only impact students living off-campus, but will also affect tuition and room and board fees for 2007 and 2008.
"We always try to keep tuition as low as we can but the United Illuminating Company increase will be considered, it has to be a priority to us," said Julie Savino, Dean of University Financial Assistance. "How much tuition will go up? We're not sure."
Tuition increases for Sacred Heart University have been, "historically average or below average compared to other schools of our type," said Savino.
Off-campus students will also see a spike in their monthly utility costs.
"Living off campus for the first time this year, I have learned a lot more about bills and how much a small increase, let alone a large one like United Illuminating Company's, can effect a budget," said Alexis Sorrentino, junior, New Haven.
Alana Hassell, junior, city, N.Y., said that the United Illuminating Company is becoming "Gucci priced electricity."
Parents are also concerned with how the energy price increase will affect everyone.
"I certainly don't want to see tuition increase due to United Illuminating Company rate hike, however, I do not see that Sacred Heart University will have many options with this sizeable price jump," said Mary Patton, parent of a Sacred Heart University student.
Patton said she hopes that the school begins an all-college energy campaign to educate students and staff on methods of cutting energy consumption.
Sacred Heart is not the only one facing these problems. Colleges across the United States are facing exorbitant increases in utility expenses with a number of universities being forced to add surcharges to tuition costs.
According to both, the Commonfund Institute's Higher Education Price Index and the College Board, energy and utility costs have nearly doubled within the past five years.
The average college student stashes an inordinate number of electrical appliances in their dorm rooms. High definition televisions (HDTV), stereos, cell phones, refrigerators, microwaves, hair dryers, printers and computers are standard equipment for most students.
In order to keep tuition increases at a minimum, all students, parents, and staff have a responsibility to put pressure on the state to encourage power companies to investigate alternative energy sources.
"We're doing everything we can to be efficient as an institution," said Savino.
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