With the four percent increase in student fees by the Board of Trustees, most in-state students won't feel much pain -the actual increase of their fees is only about $150 per year. However, the $550 hike will have out-of-state students paying nearly $13,000 per year in tuition — and they don't even get a complimentary jar of Vaseline.

Relatively speaking, high out—of—state fees are commonplace at most universities, and the school's reasoning here is simple: high fees for people from other states allow Purdue to maintain low in—state fees — only one other Big Ten school is lower.

Every year, Purdue increases their fees by 4 percent, which means that next year's graduating students will have experienced a16 percent total difference in their yearly tuition since they began school. For the out—of—state students, it's too much.

This process keeps Indiana residents in Indiana, where they will most likely find jobs after graduation. This guarantees that the area and the state will continue to prosper as more students from one of the nation's best engineering schools enter the workforce here. This is a good move for the school and for the state, and Purdue has their priorities in check.

However, the four percent across the board increase is unnecessary, even with the Purdue spending budget increased by $22 million. With this year's record—high enrollment, it's unclear why out—of—state rates continue to climb so high — or any of the rates for that matter. Is the school trying to deter students from other states from attending Purdue in order to make room for Indiana residents? If they are concerned with the enrollment numbers, perhaps they should raise their admission standards instead of casting out—of—state residents into ever—increasing debt.

Although this increase seems fair in that it is equally applied to all students, it is not.

A preferred proposal would be that the increases between in and out—of—state students are viewed and handled separately. In—staters can pay the 4 percent — about a hundred bucks. Out—of—staters conversely, should have either a smaller increase applied or have their tuition raised on an "every other year" basis. This will be more fair, and by all means more affordable.