COLUMBUS, Ohio ― Students across Ohio are protesting recent tuition increases enacted or proposed at eight of the state’s 14 public universities.
Some of those who are upset by rising costs have joined the Ohio Student Association to organize “teach-ins” and rallies on campuses, The Columbus Dispatch reports.
The University of Akron became the latest institution to approve an increase when it raised tuition by 2 percent last week. The University of Cincinnati, Youngstown State and Shawnee State also have approved hikes.
The newspaper reports four other schools have proposed increases: Miami, Wright State and Ohio universities and the University of Toledo.
One student protester says some of her friends work full time and can barely make ends meet.
“It’s unreasonable, if you ask me,” said Asia McRae, 22, a junior studying anthropology at Akron and a member of the student association. “I have friends who work 35 to 40 hours a week and are barely making do after you take into consideration living expense and tuition costs.”
Universities say drops in enrollment and cuts in state aid make the increases necessary.
