The Study Abroad Fraud: Claremont McKenna Would Do Well Not To Change the Policy

The decision to make Claremont McKenna students pay their otherwise full tuition when the go abroad is an unfortunate and dishonest one. (See the full email down below and also the post from The Forum.)

It is unfortunate in that, by forcing students to pay a higher rate when they study abroad programs, there will be little incentive for students to choose the program that is best suited to them, but, instead, to choose the program in which they get the biggest bang for their buck. Why study in Mexico, when you can study in London or Singapore instead? While three programs cost more than a Claremont McKenna education, fully one hundred cost less.  

It may well be true that a higher number of rich students go to study abroad than poorer ones, but does Dean Hess really expect us to believe that this decision was anything other than a naked attempt to get more money out of the high number of upper-middle class students here, who despite no aid from the administration, still scrounge by to pay their tuition? At the administration had the good sense not to have them pay student fees for the things that they do not even enjoy.

Perhaps, instead of increasing costs for those who aren't even here to use them, Dean Hess and the other administrators would do well to learn from the programs to which he and others send CMC students. Perhaps he could ask them how it is that they are so successful at cutting spending and educating students at the same time and use some of those schools tactics here. 

The real mark against the policy is that it is dishonest. It breaks the word that they had initially created with students on campus and is tantamount to fraud. I understand that that wording is rather harsh, but really, what else would you call something where someone changes the contract on you mid-way through? Here the damage may be somewhat limited, after all the new policy will be in effect for the rising sophomores and so it won't effect the junior class. A smarter, fairer policy would be to let incoming students know before they apply to Claremont McKenna and keep the current system in place. 

 Many students choose Claremont McKenna because of its student abroad programs. Indeed, for students in the IR department, that program is de rigeur. For many students, the cost of living and schooling in the region of their specialty is much, much cheaper than a Claremont McKenna tuition. Students who choose Latin America, Africa, or parts of Asia must now pay the full freight that they otherwise wouldn't have to pay if they simply enrolled in those programs at a cheaper rate.  

Clearly Claremont McKenna believed that a good education could be had for cheaper than the full tuition which it now seeks to get. If not, why would it have awarded credits to these organizations in the first place? 

All of that doesn't address the real elephant in the room. 

We know, from The New York Times and elsewhere, that there's a rather cozy relationship with study abroad program officials and college administrators. Perhaps that's something that could be looked into eliminating as well? I don't know that it occurs at Claremont McKenna, but given that some of our peer schools are named in the subpoena sent out by Mario Cuomo. 

In August of 2007, as Phi Beta Cons, points out [emphasis mine]

New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo launched an investigation of how higher education's study abroad programs are conducted. Initial findings suggested that too often, colleges and universities structure their programs in self-serving ways that shortchange students—backroom deals with independent study abroad contractors have become commonplace, and along the way study abroad administrators have begun putting financial kickbacks and perks such as free trips ahead of students' educational and economic prerogatives. The bottom line: the cost of studying abroad is often inflated, and the red tape involved can be excessive and compromising for students whose study abroad options are limited by their schools' exclusive arrangements with study abroad providers.

Heaven forbid that a college whose motto is civilization prospers with commerce should deny its students the hitherto granted ability to shop around for their study abroad programs. 

I have my own dislikes of those who study abroad, but that's best explained by this article from Stuff White People like. It reminds me all too many left-leaning students on this campus. 

Memo to: CMC class of 2010
From: Greg Hess, Dean of Faculty
Date: May 12, 2009
Subject: Policy Change for Cost of Study Abroad

I understand this is a very busy time of year; however, I want to share this information with you before you leave campus for your summer endeavors. This information may assist you in your future academic planning.

Effective July 1, 2010, all CMC off-campus study students will pay CMC tuition, room, and board, regardless of study site or program costs in order to receive CMC credits for graduation. The Associated Students fees will not be charged for abroad or exchange programs.

Claremont McKenna College has always had a very unusual off-campus study cost policy compared to our sister schools and the majority of other small private schools. We have traditionally charged the program cost for study abroad, and not CMC home-school costs. CMC’s implementation of this new off-campus cost structure puts CMC more in line with our peer institutions; additionally, it ensures that all students have access to the same academic integrity and equal opportunities regardless of socio-economic status, whether studying at CMC or off-campus through study abroad, on the Washington Program or on any approved CMC domestic exchange.

Under the new policy CMC off-campus study costs will be billed in the usual manner, and will cover: the off-campus academic program, room and board, pre-departure workshops, evacuation insurance through the International Student Identity Card, a travel allowance towards the cost of round-trip transportation from Los Angeles to the program site, administrative costs incurred by CMC for each semester (i.e. Offices of the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Affairs, Student Accounts, Academic Advising, Digital resources provided by the Libraries of the Claremont Colleges, etc.) and, in some cases, an allowance towards local transportation costs. Many programs include health and accident insurance in the program cost. If health and accident insurance is not covered in the program cost, an allowance may be awarded to the student to secure this insurance. The CMC off-campus study costs exclude room, board, and travel during vacation periods and weekends.

What this means for the rising sophomore class is that, should you study off-campus spring 2010, your semester costs will be under the current policy i.e. you will be charged specific program costs and program suggested expenses. Should you study off-campus after July 1, 2010 (i.e., for the rising sophomore class, during your junior year, whether fall 2010, spring 2011 or AY 2010-2011, or any time after that), you will be charged the CMC tuition, room and board.

As is our current policy, financial aid will continue for eligible students during the time off-campus on an approved program. Students will continue to receive federal and state aid as well as private and merit scholarships and up to 100% of CMC grants, not to exceed the costs of a semester (or full year) at CMC. Your family will continue to receive billing statements by CMC, which will detail the comprehensive fee charged for studying off-campus as well as any expected or actual financial aid for which you are eligible to receive. Students on payment plans may request continuation of the service while studying off-campus.

Students studying through CMC off-campus study should expect to personally pay for passport and visa fees, cost of medical examinations and immunizations, and refundable security/damage deposits. On site, students pay for personal needs such as: books, supplies, clothing, medical charges, laundry, postage, recreation, entertainment, phone bills, snacks, and weekend or holiday travel. These costs are likely to be higher than in Claremont and costs may vary considerably from site to site.

If you would like more detailed information about this new cost structure or about any of our off-campus study programs, including assistance in determining the best semester for your off-campus study, please contact Kristen Mallory, Director, Off-Campus Study Office, Heggblade Center, 909-621-8267.

Oxtoby Likes to Ride His Bicycle... Yeah, It's a Slow News Day

President Oxtoby of Pomona apparently likes to ride his bicycle, according to the human interest piece he wrote for The Wall Street Journal.

You know who else liked to ride their bicycle? Queen. And before a bias-related incident is called, Queen was a band, not a pejorative. Here, have a listen.