Despite Smith College’s recent decision to go fully remote for the Fall 2020 semester, the college will not lower its 2020-21 tuition.
Responding to this, Leela de Paula ‘23 created a Facebook group called “Smith Students for Fair Tuition & Fin Aid” to rally students to petition for Smith to lower its tuition due to the negative financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the college’s switch to online classes.
“Many people have been affected financially by the pandemic,” says de Paula ’23. “Besides the students themselves not being able to secure summer income, many parents are taking hits to their income or even suffering from unemployment.”
In response to these financial burdens, Smith made the decision to increase financial aid for students and cancel their plan to increase tuition. They stated that they will review students’ awards if their financial circumstances have changed due to COVID-19. But Smith has no plans to lower its 2020-21 tuition.
When The Sophian reached out to Stacey Schmeidel, Smith’s Senior Director for News and Strategic Communications, Schmeidel forwarded the following text from the college’s FAQ page.
“Throughout 2020-21, whether working in person or remotely, our faculty and staff will continue to teach and support students with the dedication and individual attention that has long been a hallmark of the Smith experience. Our students will continue to graduate with a degree that retains its value and with the capacities and skills for lifelong success.”
Attempts to clarify were unsuccessful. The college’s finance committee for their COVID-19 response plan, which includes David DeSwert, Dave Belanger, and Kate Gola did not respond to questions by email.
Many students however, think that it is unfair to be charged the same tuition for online classes as in-person ones.
“Not only are we suffering financially from the pandemic,” says de Paula ’23, “We are having to face the prospect of paying for a lower quality education and college experience at a very similar price, if not in some cases, more than we paid say, last year, where we are able to return to Smith and reap the benefits of the college.”
Some colleges have decided to reduce their tuition for remote classes. The list includes Georgetown University, Princeton University, Lafayette College, and Spelman College, which will reduce their tuition by 10 percent. Williams College, which will offer in-person classes as an option, will lower their cost of attendance by 15 percent.
Those who oppose tuition reduction worry that if colleges decrease their tuition, there will be a decrease in financial aid.
“Looked at another way, and from experience at an institution that lowered its tuition several years ago, unless there is additional family financial need, financial aid typically decreases when price decreases,” argues Robert J. Massa, Chief Enrollment Officer at Johns Hopkins and Drew University, in an opinion piece for Inside Higher Ed. “In other words, a lower price at the same family contribution means a lower need and hence less aid, leaving the net price paid the same as it would have been under a higher tuition.”
However, the group is currently drafting a petition that will advocate for a financial approach that would lower Smith’s tuition while keeping financial aid sufficient for the needs of students.
“Private institutions are taking steps that Smith isn’t to make sure that every student can afford a remote education, and that the price reflects the fact that it’s a lower quality experience,” says de Paula.
The petition will be addressed to Pres. McCartney, the college’s Board of Trustees, and the entire Smith community. The group is hoping to have the petition go live the next few weeks.
As Smith continues to move forward with its COVID-19 response plan, students are encouraged by the college to email their inquiries to covid19@smith.edu. Smith also stated that students should continue to contact Student Financial Services at sfs@smith.edu with questions and concerns regarding their aid and financial circumstances.
