Every year, there are countless articles in countless publications detailing the rising cost of higher education. Combined with budget cuts throughout the nation, this produces higher attendance costs for students, many of whom rely on scholarships, grants, and their own personal income to pay for their education.

Not so long ago, I was in such a situation, living on a meager combination of student worker wages and financial aid. As frustrating as it was to be broke, at least I knew that the money I paid to Ole Miss was paying salaries, covering building upkeep and renovation, and giving me the chance to earn a degree.

Fast forward to the year 2010.

The University has apparently decided it needs more money. Flex dollars, money that can only be spent on campus, is by no means a new thing. What is a new thing, however, is mandatory purchasing of Flex “money.” While the University implemented the purchase of Flex dollars for students in 2007, students who were previously enrolled were not required to begin purchasing them. This is no longer true.

Browse on over to http://130.74.148.25/auxsvcs/idcenter/faq.php, wherein you can read the following:

“The Flex Dollar program is designed to supplement students’ campus dining needs. The allotted $200 equates to about $13 per week or about $1.85 per day. In fall 2010, all undergraduate students will be provided with Flex Dollars. Flex Dollars are billed to the student’s account along with other registration charges and the Flex Dollars will set up automatically on the Ole Miss ID Card.”

I particularly like how it’s pointed out that it’s only $1.85 per day. That’s right, students. You have no choice but to give Ole Miss $400 per year in order to buy imaginary money that can only be spent on campus, where, as we all know, everything is painfully over-priced. Not only does being a student necessitate ever-increasing tuition and book costs, but you have to buy “money” that you cannot use anywhere else.

Further, you can’t withdraw this as cash, and refunds for leftover balances is “subject to approval,” though they claim you can have the money refunded upon graduation. So, the only way to get your money back is to pay the $400 per year (for the 4-6 years you’re here), not spend it, and wait on a refund check. In 2009, the reported undergraduate University enrollment was nearly 12,000.

That means that Ole Miss forced students to buy roughly $2,400,000 in “money” that can only be spent at the University.

Anyone else see a problem here?

I’m curious as to how many students are/were even aware of this change. Was it posted on the home page?

Did a letter go out?

I have a hard time believing that any sort of widespread notification went out, as I didn’t hear screams of bloody murder in the quad.

Contact the people in charge. Let them know how you feel about being forced to buy Ole Miss Monopoly Money.