The Texas A&M U. Board of Regents announced a 2.8 percent tuition increase for the 2010-2011 academic school year. Of course, with any announcement that more of your money will be taken, come the inevitable moans and groans of the student body.

But before we get into whining mode, let’s remember that compared to the tuition increases of other universities, we are still far below average. Texas State U. increased their tuition by 5 percent, U. Texas 5.4 percent, and Baylor 6.5 percent. Even Texas A&M-Galveston, San Antonio and Prairie A&M U. will raise tuition by 3.95 percent.

We still attend the University which can boast the most bang for our buck. Before we open our mouths with complaints, we need to consider what is important: we are getting one of the best educations in the nation. I am willing to pay an extra $4.81 per credit hour to ensure the same quality education. Increases are a necessity as resources, staff and facilities all become more expensive with the coming years.

The state of our economy was eventually going to directly impact college students.  Gov. Rick Perry ordered at 5 percent budget cut for state agencies and public institutions of higher education this year, issuing a directive for universities to prepare for a 10 percent cut in 2012 and 2013. This will cost A&M $25 million this year, and the money has to be made up somewhere. Instead of complaining, students should be grateful A&M was able to save them more than the other universities in the state.