College Students and Parents Protest Unmet Expectations and Costs

College students and their parents are protesting what they see as unmet educational expectations and poor value for the high costs of tuition at universities across the United States. The protests have led to disruptions on campuses, including canceled graduations, just four years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended students' college experiences.

Why this matters: The protests highlight the growing frustration among students and parents over the rising costs of higher education and the perceived lack of value in return. As the cost of tuition continues to skyrocket, the issue has significant implications for the future of higher education and the financial burden on families.

Parents are demanding more action from schools to keep their children safe, in class, and learning. Some are even threatening to pull back financial support. Zev Gewurz, a Boston real-estate lawyer whose daughter is a senior at Barnard College, expressed his frustration: "They are not getting the education they expected and paid for."

The protests have led to confrontations between students and university officials. At the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, 12 people were arrested, including nine students. Sarah Fanning, a parent of a student there, criticized the school's response: "To charge them with trespassing when they pay to live there is ridiculous."

Christopher Rim, founder and CEO of Command Education, said he has received calls from about 25 parents whose children attend Columbia University and the University of California, Los Angeles, seeking partial or full tuition refunds. "Physically blocking their child from attending class or a lecture hall is 100% not what they signed up for," Rim said.

The protests are also disrupting milestone events. Lana Shami, whose daughter is set to graduate from the University of Southern California, expressed disappointment that there will be no graduation ceremony: "It's a huge letdown." The average tuition to attend an Ivy League school costs $90,000 a year, underscoring the financial stakes for students and families.

Key Takeaways

• College students and parents protest unmet educational expectations and high tuition costs.
• Protests lead to campus disruptions, including canceled graduations.
• Parents demand more action from schools to keep students safe and learning.
• Some parents threaten to pull back financial support, seeking tuition refunds.
• Average Ivy League tuition reaches $90,000/year, highlighting financial stakes.