For ages, students at the American University of Beirut have been protesting and raising banners against tuition increase.  In the 70s a protest against a 4% increase led to the suspension and also the expulsion of 22 students from AUB.  In 1997, students went on strike to protest a 6% increase.
   Students do not protest the increase just for the sake of protesting  or striking.  Lebanese students who come from families of modest means know what it means for their families to raise large amounts of money.  AUB tuition is incredibly high considering the current economic recession in Lebanon.
   President Waterbury promised when he first came to Lebanon that there would be no increase in tuition fees unless there were inflation in Lebanon.  However, although the inflation rate was close to zero last year, tuition fees were increased by 4%.  When Outlook asked Vice President of Financial Affairs John Bernson about the increase, his answer was straightforward.  He said that the administration had to balance its books;  hence, there was a need to increase the fees.
   A comparison with what the current government of Lebanon is doing is instructive.  Prime Minister Rafic Hariri has been searching and hunting for donations and loans from around the world. Similarly, AUB frequently searches for donations and endowments. However, PM Hariri has realized that deficits in a country’s budget can not be solved or based primarily only on loans. 
   Hence, in an attempt to lessen the deficits in the annual budget, PM Rafic Hariri suggested a cut in the salaries of presidents, ministers, and members of Parliament.* 
   In AUB, senior administrators’ salaries are paid from the operating budget.  In other words, we, the students, do pay for their salaries directly from the fees.  Such a procedure is very normal.  As mentioned, when there is a problem in the economic situation of AUB, tuition fees are increased in order to cover the deficits in the budget.
   Hence, when the administration has to balance its books, why doesn’t it adopt PM Hariri’s suggestion?  Why doesn’t the President recommend cuts in the salaries of vice-presidents, directors, and other highly paid administrators in order to balance the books? Why doesn’t it start with itself instead of the students’ parents’ salaries?  AUB is a community, after all, and everyone should be responsible to it.

*This is not the only effort Hariri is making to cut down on the deficit.