Rx for Tuitions

A med school revolt

When the Northwestern University Medical School raised its 1977-78 tuition by 57.6%, to $6,855, the faculty objected. The university ignored the protest. Now a group of 264 second-and third-year students, already burdened with a $4,350 tuition, third highest in the country, have filed suit in Illinois circuit court. They charge that the increase is too high and should be reduced to about 10%, the average for the past few years. Says one student: "The medical school is doing what the public accuses doctors of doing --overcharging."

Northwestern claims that the increase is needed to free it from dependence on Government funding. The students--who cannot simply leave, since transfers between medical schools are frowned upon --argue that the increase will ultimately be at public expense. Says Medical Student Michael Miles: "Increased tuition fees increase the pressure on young physicians to raise money."

A similar lawsuit filed last February against the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry (which oversees Rutgers) is still awaiting court action.

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