As you know, Eastern Michigan University’s Board of Regents approved a budget that involves no monetary increase to students for the upcoming academic year. This includes tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees. We demand that you to look into your budget and freeze tuition at University of Michigan-Dearborn. It is important to note that the tuition freeze has not come due to increased state aid. In fact, it is the exact opposite. The EMU Board of Regents has planned their budget expecting the at least 3.1% proposed decrease in funding from the legislature and were still able to freeze tuition. This freeze could not have come at a better time, as tuition is getting increasingly difficult for students to pay and manage. Tuition was around $300 for 12 credits in 1972. Increasing that number by 3% each year (more than inflation) until 2010 is under $1,000. The average cost for 12 credits at a public university in Michigan in 2010 is more than four times that amount. It is possible that many students at your university will not be able to afford an increase and will not graduate.