The College of Medicine has decided to raise its tuition, but the new figures are not as high as many students feared.

Medical students’ tuition will be raised to $21,168, which means all students will pay the same amount, regardless of their year. Currently first-year students pay between $19,000 and $20,000, while fourth-year students only pay between $17,000 and $18,000.

Interim Dean Steve Goldschmid of the College of Medicine, along with William Crist, vice president of health affairs held a meeting yesterday to let students ask questions and voice their opinions about the increase.

“”People had heard that it would be up to a $6,000 increase and that’s what most people had feared when they walked into the room,”” said Sigrid Gardner, president of the medical student government and a second-year medical student. “”I think that most students were pleased that the tuition increase proposed is less than what was feared.””

Currently, each class pays a different amount, meaning the percentage increase will be greatest for fourth-year students, and lowest for first-year students.

Goldschmid wanted the students to rest assured that their education is still a top priority.

“”I do believe that we deliver a very good education and we’re going to preserve that,”” he said. “”All of the faculty would agree that your education is a priority and we want it to be high quality.””

As far as future tuition increases go, Goldschmid said he can’t control the legislature.

“”If they decide to continue to whittle away at state funding, then we’re going to have to come up with an alternative,”” he said. “”We’re going to have to figure out a way to cover those costs and it’s probably going to be a reflection on tuition.””

Alan Schumacher, a first-year medical student, said he believes the meeting gave everyone the information they needed.

“”They did a very good job in being open. I didn’t necessarily agree with all of their answers but all of their answers were fully presented and the position is now known,”” he said. “”I think the amount that they’re suggesting to increase tuition appears reasonable on the surface based on what we’ve heard today.””

It was also decided that the school would hold regular town hall meetings, to make the administration more accessible to the students.

“”I think that air of collaboration between the administration and the students is greatly appreciated by the students and I think that’s an exciting development,”” said Gardner.

Crist also wanted students to know that they aren’t the only ones going through this.

“”This is something that’s getting passed on to all students across the country,”” he said. “”We’re all suffering so we need to feel each other’s pain and get through this.””