Photoessay #994 - Resident discrimination

I just made that term up.

I'm referring to the tuition schedules at American public universities with separate tables for in-state residents and out-of-state residents. With the out-of-state number being much higher. Justification is that those non-residents have not paid taxes in that state to support their higher-learning institutions.

We faced this at the University of Oregon but was mitigated by the athletic scholarship that ended up paying a large portion of the bill (all the bill for the last half)

And, contrary to urban legend, you usually cannot establish residency after being in the state for a year going to school.

An unanticipated consequence causes the local students (residents) to be discriminated against in favor of the out-of-state students. Because they bring in more money. Lots more money. When I went to University of California back in the day, I don't remember any out of state students at all. University of Oregon boasted 30% out of state students.

These days, institutions have to be 'creative' on their funding and collecting higher tuition from out-of-state students is one way to stop the bleeding.

But my daughter, a very strong candidate indeed (according to her mom, me) hoped to go to the Information School right in her own home state (and home town). A University of Washington grad with honors in history, 3.69 GPA, two years experience in the UW business library, experience working in many branches of the local public libraries, strong references, etc. Didn't get in. However she did get into another top 5 school, University of Michigan. No slouch organization. But, instead of paying 12K annual tuition for her in-state school (where she wanted to go), she now faces 35K annual tuition as an out-of-state student. Ouch!

U Michigan says they will admit 60% out of state. So the Washington students have to pay out of state fees at Michigan and the Michigan students have to pay out of state fees at Washington? Is this intended as a stimulus for the student loan industry?

A columnist at the Seattle Times wrote about this yesterday.

Interesting, I read the 54 comments and none of the posters seemed to get this slant, though I felt that was the tone of the article. Title of the column "Out-of-state money talks big at UW"

I do hope that she decides to go to the University of Michgian.....

Picture used without permission from the Fluffy Fleece people.