New York University’s Increasing Tuition and Decreasing Financial Aid Leads to an Increase in Applicants

New York University’s tuition is increasing next fall, while financial aid is decreasing, but surprisingly the number of applicants is rising.

Many NYU students can agree that it is becoming harder for them to afford the school.  In 2011-2012 the total cost of attendance, including tuition and housing will be 3.6 percent higher than it was this year.  Financial aid will also increase next year by 3.8 percent.

But this represents a drastic decrease from previous years.

Despite these numbers, the 2010-2011 academic year was a record year for NYU applications with 42,242 total student applicants for the Class of 2015 topping its prior record of 38,037 applicants from the previous year.

“Although students and their parents may be making a financial reach to attend NYU, they feel that the level of education at NYU is above par and the opportunity to study in one of the greatest cities in the world is unparallel to other universities,” explained an anonymous NYU admissions office employee.

Several students argue that if NYU does not help make the tuition more affordable, then NYU’s incoming classes will begin to decrease in size.  However, there are other students who believe that although NYU is hard to afford students will never stop applying because of the school’s prestige and location.

“The increase in tuition is disappointing,” stated 19-year-old, NYU sophomore, Emily Fiore, from Easton, Ct.  “However, I knew coming into NYU that it was very expensive because it is a private institution, therefore, I expect things like this to happen.  I worry that soon enough not as many students are going to be able to attend this university because of its expenses.”

New York University’s tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year will increase 3.8 percent from 2010-2011.  The cost of room and board will increase by 3.1 percent making the total cost of attendance 3.6 percent higher than it was this year. 

“It is really getting ridiculous, I have my daughter attending NYU now and another daughter who will be going to college in two years,” stated a concerned, fourth grade teacher from Syracuse, NY, Debbie Jeneault.  “I’m going to have to start working more over the summer as well as have my daughters take out loans and apply for scholarships.”

In an article from NYU Local News, by Charlie Eisenhood, called, “NYU Announces Largest Cost Increase Since 2008, Much Smaller Financial Aid Boost” published on April 6, it was first reported that, “The aggregate increase in cost of attendance is the highest since 2008.  Last year, the jump was 3.1 percent; in 2009, it was 3.4 percent.  It’s important to note, however, that those increases were the smallest of the past twenty years.”

“Additionally, the percentage increase in undergraduate financial aid is down sharply from 5.8 percent last year and 7.8 percent in 2009,” the article stated.

After several attempts, financial aid office employees have declined to comment on the decrease in financial assistance for the upcoming school year.

Students have stated that this upcoming year’s tuition increase is partially due to new study abroad programs in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi, as well as a new center for academic and spiritual life in New York.

 “I feel that it is ridiculous,” exclaimed NYU sophomore, Dhayna Chandramohan, 20, from New Jersey, as she threw her hands in the air.  “I understand that the university is making expansions but I wish my tuition were going towards furnishing more things in New York and not in Shanghai, Abu Dhabi or at any other abroad locations.”

While some students feel that President Sexton's ambition to make NYU the first truly global university is the cause for the increase in tuition and why there is a struggle to afford tuition, others feel that the school will make an effort to help students afford the university with the amount of financial aid offered.

“NYU is a dream school because of its location and all that it offers, I don’t think the tuition going up would deter anyone from applying here,” explained NYU sophomore, Vivek Nayar, 19, from Syracuse, NY.  “The tuition will always raise from year to year, but I believe NYU is doing all that it can in the way of providing its students a way to receive a proper education.”

“NYU is a very expensive university that will continue to expand.  We must expect it and accept it,” stated, 20-year-old, NYU sophomore Ryan Horch from Long Island, NY.  “I am taking out loans for two years and my parents are paying for the following two years.  However, I feel that NYU is trying its best to make itself affordable so that our student population doesn’t decrease.”

In a university-wide email, sent by NYU President John Sexton, Provost David McLaughlin and Executive Vice President Michael Alfano, NYU students were informed of the increase in tuition.

"We operate today in a period in which a tuition-dependent university such as NYU faces growing pressures.  Our re-engineering efforts and the annual savings they yield have placed NYU in a better position to confront these circumstances than many universities and colleges."  The email also stated, "Nonetheless, we know there remain significant challenges with which we will have to grapple."

"Every budget is a balance of resources and needs, of aspirations and realities, of accomplishing as much as we can with what we have," the email explained.

 “NYU is doing all that it can to offer its students a wonderful education.  In doing so it makes such expansions that will help us prosper and grant us opportunities,” stated NYU sophomore, Matt Berkowitz, 20, from Boston, MA.  “The tuition increase sucks, but without it we could not have such a great environment to learn in.  Students will never stop applying to such an excellent school because of all that it has to offer, no matter what the cost will be.”

REPORTING

In creating this story I first did online research.  I found articles and statistics that have helped me develop my main idea.  I have discovered that as tuition at NYU is increasing, financial aid is significantly decreasing, but surprisingly student applications are rising.

I interviewed several students, parents, and employees at NYU to get their opinion on the matter.  It was hard to get responses from several employees, however, I was persistent.  It is quite challenging getting an employees opinion on such a touchy subject.

I read several articles as to why the increase in tuition is occurring.  Most of the money is going towards study abroad programs.  And with the amount of tuition increasing found out why there are more applicants than ever before.

Lastly I learned what actions students would take to make NYU affordable.  Some take out loans while others apply for scholarships.  NYU is a prestige university.  Students will never stop applying.

Building a Stronger NYU Community

New York University students have voiced complaints that the university lacks a great sense of community prompting senior administrators to create more on-campus events.

Recently, a small sample of students gave their view on the subject at a panel featuring senior administrators, resulting in six out of ten administrators wanting to create more on-campus events that would appeal to the undergraduates, such as, fundraisers and music performances, enabling students to become more involved and build a stronger commune.

“NYU’s campus spreads throughout lower Manhattan, making it difficult for some students to distinguish between the community at the university and the community that is just the city of New York,” explained NYU senior, Paulina Abaunza, 21, assistant director of commuters and off campus student services.  “I think it’s best to create events throughout the year near Washington Square Park to bring us all together, especially because there are so many people who live off campus and only come to Washington Square just to go to class.” 

In agreement is NYU sophomore Kristen Alley, 20, who states that “We need to do something to create a closeness to the school but it needs to be something that a lot of people would want to get involved with or attend.”  While rolling her eyes, she exclaimed, “Halloween dances in Hayden are not appealing, no one would go to those.”

When NYU senior and Vice President for student affairs, Marc Wais, 21, was asked if he felt more on-campus events would help strengthen the community he stated, “I guess more events could help but there are already so many.  Maybe the events just aren’t appealing to the students, but that will hopefully change.”

On the NYU home website under university life, http://www.nyu.edu/life.html, it states that, “On campus, NYU offers countless ways to connect with other members of the university community.  With over 400 student clubs and organizations…. students get involved with the university.”

NYU senior, Katie Sylvester, 22, explains that, “NYU has a pretty strong community.  Yeah we can always use more events but I think we already have all of that, it’s just a matter if people choose to attend them or get involved in other activities that NYU offers.  I mean I’m Chair of the student senators council, but that was my choice to get involved.” 

Sylvester simply believes that, “If more people get involved at NYU than there will be less complaints about the lack of community that students believe that it has.  Involvement leads to community.” 

Who Lives & Parties in Meatpacking?

In the 1930’s New York’s Meatpacking District, once produced the nations third largest volume of meat, “but today boutiques, bars and clubs are more common than rump roast.”

Presently, the Meatpacking District is full of people who are not exactly looking to buy fresh meat, but instead get their party on at one of the many clubs the area has to offer. 

On a sunny, cloudless, beautiful day in downtown Manhattan a ten-person survey was conducted, relayed that there is an equal amount of tourists and locals who come to this area of New York to enjoy a night out, ranging from ages 20 to 40.

“Trendy people mostly live here and go out here- those who are into fashion.  Definitely not a lot of tourists, mostly locals,” relayed, psychologist, Louis Revilla, 38 from Upper West Side, NY as he was on his way to Sunday brunch.

Disagreeing is, Jordan Rowland, 26, an event planner who lives in the east village, NY.  She explained that, “most of the people who go out around here are tourists and also a lot of bridge and tunnel.”

Christos Konomis, 47, from Greece is visiting New York on holiday- a perfect example of the average tourist in Meatpacking.  Even though he is a tourist he feels that the majority of people amongst himself are locals.  He explained in his thick Greek accent, “when I go out here at night the majority of people are from here, young people between the ages of 25 and 40.”  He also added, “you don’t see a lot of families around here either.”

Because the Meatpacking District is mostly made up of bars, clubs and restaurants it is not deemed an ideal place to raise a family.  Anyways, the cobble stone road throughout the neighborhood would be a difficult surface for a toddler to learn how to walk or ride a bike on.

“I have lived in Manhattan all my life,” exclaimed, Grad Student, Chelsea Cohn, 26, who now lives near by the Meatpacking District.  “The majority of those who live in this area are people ranging from the ages 20 to 40.  They usually do not have families, and they love the New York City nightlife.  That’s why I live here!”  However, when it comes to those who go out in this area she agrees with Jordan that the majority of the people are mostly tourists.

Dmitry Kilin, 28, works for a hedge fund and was born and raised in New York.  “Most of the people who live here are young,” he stated.  “And as for the old people who live here, they think they’re young,” he added with a chuckle.

NYU student, Peter Shu, 20, states, “I wasn’t around in the 1930’s when this area was all about selling meat, and even though it has changed I don’t see anyone complaining.”

 He continued, “my boys and I come here on the weekends and even though I am under aged I give the bouncers my fake ID and cross my fingers that I get in.  These clubs are amazing and worth the risk.”

Weather Story

Weather Story

Although Manhattan experienced a severe winter, many people around Greenwich Village did not seem to mind it, but were glad that spring is nearing.

A few people in Washington Square Park in Manhattan seemed nonchalant in their description of the recent weather.  Most were optimistic that the winter was now over.

“I actually really enjoyed it, I love seeing feets of snow, and it reminded me of where I’m from," said NYU student Devin Smith from Minnesota as he wolfed down a huge subway sandwich.

International businessman, Santi Garcia, 37, from warm and sunny Mexico said, “I don’t like this kind of cold weather but the city is very cool so it doesn’t matter.”  He was shivering with his hands in his pee coat pockets yet he had no desire to leave New York.

At first a little nervous, a young woman offered her opinion on the weather.  “I’m from a sunny place.  The winter here was pretty difficult with all the snow storms we had,” explained photographer, Janni Martinez, 24, from Puerto Rico.  “It’s exciting though because it was my first winter in the states, the first time with snow.”

Student, Mari Amini, 22 from New York, NY is happy that the warm weather is nearing yet didn’t feel that this was the worst winter New York has experienced.  “The worst winter I experienced was when I was really little. I don’t think I went to school for a week.”

Washington Square Park has been a desolate place over the last few months, and now it appears that life is flocking towards it.  Many people are gathered around the park: reading, playing music, and singing.

"Although I love the snow, I can’t wait for spring," said Devin Smith. "I swear 500 pretty girls who didn't live in New York move here in the spring."

Artichoke Pizza

A small sampling of Artichoke Pizza employees and customers were recently interviewed, in which the employees at the newly established Artichoke Pizza in New York, located at 111 MacDougal St. expressed that this store is not yet as popular as the original Artichoke Pizza located at 328 East 14th St.
The two employees interviewed at the Artichoke Pizza on 14th Street both believe that the Artichoke Pizza on MacDougal is gaining a lot of business, however, the two employees that work at the new Artichoke Pizza suppose that the stores location is still widely unknown. The new Artichoke only opened in November but due to its prime location near several bars and the New York University campus, there’s hope that this store will be as popular as the original.
James Lettera, 27, from West Point, CT works at the new Artichoke Pizza. He stated that, “This area is a perfect location for the store. We’re next to several bars and the NYU campus is close too, but seeing that we only opened in November we’re currently not getting as many customers as the original Artichoke, which has been around for three years.”
Artichoke employee from Senegal, West Africa, 25, who goes by the name Spider, originally worked at the Artichoke Pizza on 14th Street and is now working at the store on MacDougal. With his thick accent he stated that, “The Artichoke on 14th always has a really long line on weekend nights when everyone’s drunk and looking for a late night bite. I think as time goes on though that this Artichoke will be more popular than the original.”
14th Street customer and NYU student, Cameron Javadi, 20, from Washington D.C. has eaten at both Artichoke Pizzas and explains that “the pizza at both Artichoke’s is exactly the same but the store on 14th is well known.”
Despite this last remark, when the Artichoke Pizza on MacDougal first opened, an article was published on Nov. 28, in the Washington Square News, by Julie Devito, stating that, “The longest line on MacDougal isn't for some new bar or Sam Sifton's favorite restaurant, but for the latest addition to the Artichoke Basille Pizza family.”
When 14th Street Artichoke employee, Christina Peralta, 20, from Mineola, NY was asked to give her opinion about the new Artichoke Pizza on MacDougal Street, she stated, “I’m happy to see that we’re expanding our store. The Artichoke over there is getting popular and has been having a lot of customers since it opened.”
In an article written on Nov. 30 about the Artichoke Pizza on McDougal, blogger for the Village Voice, Lauren Shockey, confirms that the stores “already doing brisk business selling slices until the wee hours of the morning (like the other locations, it's open until 5 a.m.).
Peralta sees a bright future for Artichoke Pizza. “We’ll be gaining many customers in all our stores being opened across the U.S. We recently opened an Artichoke in Vegas, and if we remain successful we may be opening a booth at Giant Stadium. My fingers are crossed!”