By William Croyle
Enquirer Contributor

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - Omarr Marrero, 21, transferred to Northern Kentucky University after he was put on academic probation his freshman year at the University of Louisville. Now a junior majoring in information systems, he said his grades here are "pretty good."

"If it wasn't for NKU, I couldn't go to college," said Marrero.

But getting into NKU gets tougher this fall when NKU raises its admission standards. That, and a possible 20 percent increase in tuition next year, have been hot topics on the campus this semester.

Though specifics are not in place, the school will require applicants to have a minimum ACT score and the completion of certain college-prep courses in high school.

NKU President James Votruba has said that about 40 percent of the university's freshmen don't return sophomore year, often because they aren't ready for college rigors.

That statistic didn't surprise NKU senior Jody McFarland.

"A lot of kids think they can handle it after high school, but they get out on their own and find out they can't," said McFarland. "I don't think high school kids are old enough to go to college."

And raising admission requirements isn't the answer, she said.

NKU is McFarland's fifth college since 1999. At Anderson High School in Cincinnati, she scored a 28 on her ACT - seven points higher than the national average that year. But she struggled with the freedom college gave her.

"I was at UC, Georgetown, OSU, Columbus State, and now here," she said. "When I was at OSU is when I started paying attention."

Senior Corey Catton, 22, applied to the University of Kentucky and NKU after graduating from Holy Cross High School. He was turned down by UK.

"I think standards all around should be pushed up a little bit, but it should still allow those who didn't do well in high school the opportunity to go here," said Catton. "I believe in educating the masses."

Senior Lyndsey Yeager, 23, had a different view. "I think it's great," she said. "They can raise the standards and afford to be more selective."

Since 1995, enrollment at NKU has grown from 11,600 to 14,000 students. Applications for admittance this fall are up 47 percent over 2001.

But enrollment may slow as tuition increases.

It has doubled in the last 10 years. Tuition for the 2003-2004 school year was $3,744.

McFarland, who is also a senator in the Student Government Association, said the group will vote Monday on an $800 tuition increase for next year, a jump of about 20 percent. That vote can be overridden by the Board of Regents, but is a way for the students to be heard.

"Most students here rely on loans and grants," said McFarland, who works 24 hours a week and has $24,000 in student loans. "But if it's raised beyond what they can get from that, they won't be able to afford it anymore."

Marrero works 25-35 hours a week at DHL and as an intramural referee. "I had to move off campus this semester because housing (cost) is outrageous," he said. "I owe the school so much money now. I don't know if I'll be able to afford it if they raise it more."

Yeager, though, said it's a far cry from the $20,000 a year she was paying at Georgetown College where she went her freshman year, and that a tuition increase of that amount is not a big investment.

"We have a lot of benefits other schools don't have," said Yeager.

"I pay only $48 a year for parking. The computer lab is always open. Printing is free. Tutoring services are free. We get a lot of amenities for what we pay," she said.

"What we get here for the price is unbelievable."