It’s no secret the economy has been less than satisfactory for quite some time.

With increases on various taxes and budget deficits on top of job layoffs, the past year or so has been a financial nightmare.

Some even thought this economical mess would be the next Great Depression.

Unfortunately, it is in times like these that people have to batten down the hatches and either save what money they can, or, in the case of universities like Baker, make up for it by increasing tuition.

A lot of students would see it as unfair. But before completely deciding a tuition increase is unfair, students should think about why Baker would need to raise tuition.

First off, the university is just trying to compensate for what the economy is throwing everyone this year. No one can deny the past few years have been tough economically for people all over the country, including people here at Baker.

The university is just trying to roll with the unmerciful punches thrown by the economy. Unfortunately, one of the best ways to fight back with a financial crisis is by raising tuition.

This can hurt students. But it’s important to remember that without tuition increases, a university would have a hard time continuing to exist. And if there’s no college, there can’t be students.

That, and tuition increases, are to be expected. When you have a job, you expect a pay raise every once in a while. Universities go through the same thing. Universities do periodically raise tuition every few years anyway, and this raise is less than others in the past.

No one likes having to pay more, especially when it’s something as expensive as tuition, but sometimes it can’t be avoided. The important thing to keep in mind is you can’t control the economy. You just have to deal with what it deals you. It may not seem fair, but no one ever said everything necessary is fair.