Staff Editorial: Direct the dollars - Diamondback Online

The state of Maryland is fortunate enough to have the tenth-lowest student debt after graduation, with the average student graduating with $17,243 in debt. But this year, the state has faced round after round of budget cuts. Two weeks ago, it was announced that tax collections were down by 12 percent in June, and that O'Malley is looking to cut another $700 million from the budget. Just a week later, $37.8 million was cut from the university system's budget. The university's budget has already been stretched thin, prompting both furloughs and a hiring freeze. It's no surprise, then, that administrators are considering a mid-school year tuition hike. Tuition is already too high, and accessibility is one of this university's core missions. Raising tuition is a step away from that goal, but given our financial situation, it is the appropriate course of action.