On January 18, Virginia Wesleyan College President William T. Greer, Jr. sent a letter to all Wesleyan students and parents, summarizing some events of the fall semester. Included in this letter was the announcement that tuition for the 2001-2002 academic year has been set at $16,500 and room and board at $5,850. The total: $22,350. "I agree with the tuition increase because it will benefit the entire college community," said junior Ryan O’Connor. "The increase will support new faculty members which will give additional benefits to the students."
In his letter, Greer stated that the main reason for the tuition increase was to support six new academic positions. The college is presently interviewing candidates for faculty members in art, the classics, communications, English, secondary education, and Spanish. With the addition of these new faculty members, course offerings for the coming year will increase. The increase in course offerings will allow more opportunities for students and, hopefully, improve the overall development of the college. "Although adding another position to the Spanish department will benefit those students in that field, I do not understand why that would signify a significant tuition increase for all students," said Spanish major Melissa Cummings. Although the tuition increase is for the betterment of the college, some students are beginning to worry. Tuition seems to increase little by little and the concern is that the college will soon become too expensive for the majority of the students to attend.
"I support the tuition increase because it is necessary for the survival of the college," said senior Michelle Littman. "I disagree with the tuition raising almost every year though." Dean of Admission and Vice President for Enrollment Rick Hinshaw and his staff have offered to discuss financial aid options with students. Scholarships are included in these various financial aid options. The college offers leadership scholarships, academic scholarships, and presidential scholarships. Stipulations apply for these scholarships, however, the admissions staff will work with students to find money for them to continue their education. "It is my sincere hope that the increase in fees will not create a hardship for you," Greer stated in his letter. "I assure you that we have made every effort to keep our operating costs as low as possible while maintaining our present commitments and expanding our educational offerings."
The generosity of a former student is providing a great honor and financial support for a current Virginia Wesleyan junior. Communications major Charmaine Berina is the first recipient of the James and Beverly Avery Scholarship, a grant provided by alumni James Avery, class of 1971, in memory of his parents. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a deserving student based on specific qualifications which Avery developed himself. "This is a major gift from a graduate in memory of his parents," said Jesse Fanshaw, Associate Director of Development for Planned Giving. "His parents were both in the communications business. His mother worked for a television station in Hampton Roads and his father for an evening newspaper which is no longer around, the Times-Herald." To qualify for the scholarship, the student must major in communications or English, have a strong academic record and demonstrate financial need. Berina, 24, met all of these qualifications and was the first student presented with this grant. Berina is very grateful. "I’m sending myself to school and Wesleyan’s tuition fees are not exactly cheap," said Berina. "However, the people of the Financial Aid Office are very helpful in providing students like myself with lots of information concerning scholarships and loans. I feel honored."
The scholarship adds to Berina’s three pre-existing academic scholarships, but there is a catch. Berina will not receive any additional funds this semester from the newly formed scholarship, rather the $1,000 was taken out of another $1,285 grant she already had and simply renamed. The experience was both exciting and somewhat embarrassing. "I was like, oh man, what a bummer! I thought I was going to get additional money, but I felt honored that I qualified," said Berina. Berina and her family moved to Virginia Beach from the Philippines in 1995. "It was my grandfather’s dream for us to experience life in the U.S.," said Berina. "He was a second lieutenant with the U.S. Army during World War II and he was impressed with what America stood for."
At age 19, Berina enrolled as a student at Tidewater Community College. With the encouragement of her relatives, she pursued the medical field, but found it unfulfilling after volunteering at Sentara Bayside Hospital for three months. "There was this one woman with third-degree burns who was receiving hydra-therapy. We would have to pour water on her and she would just scream out in pain," said Berina. "The doctor would yell, ‘Charmaine, hold her down!’ It was just terrifying. I realized that it’s not the kind of work I wanted to do." What Berina wanted to do was study journalism. "It’s always been my dream to be a writer," said Berina, who writes for The Marlin Chronicle, the yearbook, and has submitted works to The Outlet, since transferring to Wesleyan. She also enjoys writing poetry. "I think I must really be sad, because I always write sad poems about unrequited love. I read over them and think, ‘oh that’s sad’, but I’m happy," said Berina with a laugh.
Berina is planning to graduate in Spring 2002. She hopes to go on to graduate school at Syracuse University and perhaps return to her native Philippines to teach English. "I don’t see myself as being a newspaper reporter for my entire life," said Berina, who currently is not a citizen of the United States. "The thought of teaching journalism and English in my native country has crossed my mind. I know I’m a dreamer, but hey!"