RPI will be changing the way it charges graduate students in the near future. Though the administration has not yet released specific details, Tom Apple, dean of graduate education, said there are plans in the works to charge all full-time graduate students a flat tuition rate, regardless of the number of credits being taken.
The plan eliminates the practice of degree completion, registering for zero credits in order to fulfill other requirements for graduation. A transition policy will be put in place for current students to keep them from being lost in the process.
Degree completion is seen as the primary reason that RPI takes an average of 1.5 years longer to graduate a Ph.D. student, and one year longer for master’s candidates.
The administration believes that students are encouraged to follow this path because senior students who are taking fewer credits are cheaper for professors to fund than new students.
Many faculty members are concerned that, rather than aiding research programs, the new policy will have disastrous consequences for the Institute. They also contend that the policy runs counter to the goal of doubling the graduate population, one of the highest priorities set out in The Rensselaer Plan.
Some of these complaints Apple attributed to concerns over finances rather than concern for the school.
There are also ill feelings circulating over concerns that they have no voice in the decision process—not only how little input was sought, but possible repercussions they may face if they voice their opinions.
The plans remain in the formative stages.
The Board of Trustees will consider the policy when they meet to discuss the Institute budget later this month, and a decision may be made at that time.
Editor’s Note: Information provided by the article by Dan DiTursi published on February 6, 2002.
