Joy Minchin had planned to spend her senior year getting involved in more student groups.
The history and political science double major has taken at least 15 credits each semester she’s been at UF in order to make that happen.
“I felt like I’ve just been sticking my nose in a book so far,” she said.
She’s on the UF Speech and Debate Team, and she wanted to travel with the team more next fall.
She wanted to join some political groups. She wanted to look for volunteering opportunities.
Now, she feels compelled to get the most for her dollar. With the possibility of block tuition being implemented next fall, she said she would have to play into the system.
“I feel like if I have to pay for 15 credits, I will take them,” she said. “That will keep me from getting more involved.”
Minchin was one of 50 students who, throughout Tuesday afternoon, protested block tuition on Turlington Plaza.
The protest was organized by one of her classes, called “Social Problems,” that unanimously agreed to take action against the proposed policy.
“I know this isn’t a democracy, but our voices should be heard,” Minchin said.
Meggan Jordan, a graduate student who teaches the class, said her students opposed the idea of the university becoming a degree factory.
“They disagree with the idea of buying education in bulk,” she said.
UF Provost Joe Glover has been answering questions about block tuition for about a month now, reiterating the fact that the policy does not force anyone to do anything — it merely gives them incentive.
The administration has stood by its stance that block tuition is not a money-making measure, but a policy that will encourage more students to graduate in four years.
Glover said he respects the fact that some students work while taking classes, but he wonders about how many need to do so.
“Do you work because you have to work, or because you want to work?” he said.
Glover said the added cost of education — tuition and living expenses — is offset by the money earned by graduating and getting a job sooner.
He also said it is not the university’s responsibility to adjust its policy for specific situations where a student’s family cannot or will not provide the “expected parental contribution” that is estimated to factor into the cost of attendance.
He noted that 60 percent of UF students do not take loans of any kind.
The Student Senate unanimously passed a resolution opposing block tuition Tuesday night. Senate President Ben Meyers, of the Unite Party, said SG does not believe block tuition will actually increase graduation rates.
“It’s going to financially burden students,” he said. “It’s going to hinder the student experience.”
The Board of Trustees will hold two days of meetings, starting Thursday, where the issue will be discussed. The board could vote to approve the policy Friday.
If approved, the proposal would have to clear one more hurdle in February — the Board of Governors — before it would become policy next fall.
