DePaulia (DePaul University, Chicago, IL), 1979-09-28

              By Stm Goreckl Volume 58 Number 3 As a result of the ever-increasing number of unpaid and delinquent tuitions at DePaul, the treasurer's office sent out a letter to students dated August 27, 1979, informing them of increases in deferred payment and delinquency fees. The letter, signed by Rev. J. Patrick Murphy, C.M., DePaul Treasurer said, "My intent is to remind you (DePaul students) of our policies of record, to inform you of changes, to save you money, and to show open cooperation at DePaul University."With an increasing enrollment-Reportedly a 6% increase from 12,300 students last year to 13,200 this yearthe letter was sent out in late August so as to accommodate, as soon as possible, all persons who had actually registered for fall quarter and also so as not to bother those students who graduated or were not returning to DePaul. Also, students were able to ask questions, be informed of changes, or make payments to a cashier at the end of the in-person registration line. At freshman orientation, Fr. Murphy outlined these same issues and stressed, "You can save money if you pay your tuition along the lines suggested here today." All these actions were taken, according to Murphy, because students were virtually always being ignored in regards to payment and information concerning tuition. "Their only resource was the cashier's office at payment time," Murphy said, and in Wilma Longstreet general we weren't really visible in collecting." Also, the treasurer's office asked the registrar's office to have a note read during the first week of class stating that tuition must be paid either in full or according to the new deferred payment plan, or fees will be assessed and any nonregistered students will not be registered after the first week of the quarter. This was not done in all classes as requested.Other issues brought forward in the letter included a change in the deferred payment plan itself, a change in the tuition reduction schedule for enrollment changes, and a reminder that all these changes (specifically the deferred payment plan and schedule of refunds alterations), and policies were reiterations of those specified earlier in the new 1979-80 Bulletin and although they have been current at DePaul for years, they needed repeating. This was done, according to Murphy, because "not all people read everything in the Bulletin, and because we wanted to let students know as soon as possible that there were changes that they should be made aware of." Murphy added, "I think it is unfair to surprise the students with a different kind of fee schedule. It is better to be up front and open and let them be aware and able to save money by paying on time. It was basically done to save the student a whole lot of surprise, embarassment, and money. We The DePaulia Late Tuition Fees Hiked would much rather collect tuition than bother assessing and collecting fees. However, this should result in students saying, 'Hey, it looks like the administration is being serious about collecting tuition this year.' "Also, if students have any questions about their account, fee determinations or tuition schedules, they can get information or account readings from either the Lewis Center or Lincoln Park cashiers. This can be done by phone or in person since both cashier's offices use the same computer system. Students can make their payments by mail, in person during daytime hours, or during nonscheduled hours using the tuition depository boxes of both cashier's offices, as long as the payments are received by the scheduled date. "Things are hectic now, but once we get through the first quarter, things will settle down. Longstreet Named Education Dean By Margaret Jenkins Dr. Wilma Longstreet was appointed dean of the DePaul School of Education by University President John R. Cortelyou, C.M. Her appointment as dean was made effective August 1, 1979. She has her own idea of education's purpose. "The public generally thinks of education only in terms of teacher preparation which is unfortunate because education should involve the various general studies similar to the humanities," said Longstreet. Longstreet said that the past methods and programs of the education department are not bad because they are old and that some of them will be retained and expanded to upgrade the department. She added that a long hard look at the education department's curriculum must be taken 321-8002 S«pt«mb«r 28, 1979 Among otter Items In the now foo policy la tho possibility of foo for dropping courses to minimize drop and add llnss like thsss. The University is trying to become more efficient by lessening the burdens and complexities for the students and by taking the financial burdens of continually late tuition payments off the University." The reason actions in regards to fees and schedules were taken at this time is because the University's Board of Trustees wanted solutions for consistently unpaid tuiton. The decision was made last winter by the Board of Trustees, of which Murphy is secretary, and was proposed by the administrative council made up of the president, University vice-presidents and Murphy. Immediate repercussion of the decision was that grades were being held and registrations stopped for students delinquent in their tuition payments for 1979 winter and spring quarters. To explain the problem clearly, Murphy presented graphs before moving on to new directions and developing new programs by the department's faculty as well as herself. Currently, there area number of old programs in the process of expansion. DePaul has a health education program available. However, the present program is not certified. The education department has already submitted a request to the State of Illinois for certification of DePaul Health Education program. Longstreet said the health education program should have its certification soon. Longstreet said new programs will be initiated as well, after being considered and evaluated by the faculty and herself. One example is the new center for graduate education students.' Also being considered is anew graduate center for research and evaluation at the master's degree level. (Photo by Maria Omo) and charts to the trustees which illustrated the consistent delinquency of tuition payments in past years with week by week analysis of each quarter. Findings showed that almost 50% of students have not fully paid their tuition by the fifth week of the quarter, 25% were unpaid by the 7th week and still 10% were unpaid ten weeks after the quarter was over. With this in mind, the University decided it was impossible to 'chase' students for their payments, and they could not make out special payment plans for every individual. Murphy asserted, "The University is not a bank and does not have the money to borrow on various time plans." In interviews with students by Comptroller Vince Battaglia's office, it was discovered that only about three or four out of 100 students really couldn't pay their tuition some students (continued on page 2) Longstreet earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Hunter College in New York City. She obtained her Master's degree and Ph.D. at the University of Indiana. Before her appointment as the Dean of DePaul's School of Education, Longstreet held positions in various cities in the United States and Europe. Longstreet served as a teacher at both elementary and secondary levels. She was a foreign correspondent in Rome for the Baltimore Sun. She was also a tour escort abroad for eight summers and a translator.Besides teaching at elementary and secondary levels, Longstreet served as a professor at the University of Michigan for seven years and as an assistant professor at the University of Illinois. She also taught education courses at both universities.