“After thoughtful consideration and discussion, the Pace University Board of Trustees has approved a four percent tuition increase for the 2015-2016 academic year. This increase brings tuition before financial aid to $39,728 for the year.”

That’s how Pace President Stephen J. Friedman opened his letter to the Pace student body.

A few thoughts went through my mind after reading this. First, why? Why is there a tuition increase? Second and perhaps more importantly, where is this extra money going, and why should the students foot the bill?

In this short letter, Friedman talks about the millions of dollars gifted annually through scholarships, and need-based aid, and of the commitment the university has to preserving these awards. He also makes note of the fact that Pace has a track record of success when it comes to landing careers for current students and alumni after college. All of which is well and good, but where will this extra cost be utilized?

The letter gave a few hints on possibilities, but nothing transparent or even semi-transparent for that matter was explicitly stated.

If this extra cost is going to upgrade or enhance my education here at Pace, I will have no problem spending that extra money. I shouldn’t say that. What I mean is, I would understand why the increase is necessary, and I’m sure that most other students would as well.

If, however, the money is going towards anything that doesn’t directly contribute to my successful education or that of other Pace students, I would be strongly against it.

Unfortunately, I have a funny feeling that this increase will not be contributing to what I would consider understandable.

Pace is actually cutting courses and faculty members for this coming fall. So it doesn’t seem that this extra revenue will be going towards bolstering our faculty and bettering our quality of education. Dyson College specifically will be dealing with a diminished staff and cancellations of numerous courses.

It would appear that with this extra money, Pace should be able to, at the very least; continue to offer the same variety of courses.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, if a university is going to increase tuition, there must be a good reason as to why, and that reason must be expressed to everyone who will be subject to it.

We are paying a premium for an education, and a good one at that. If we are going to be charged more, we deserve to know why.