Kurt Hertzfeld, the College treasurer, explained, "Unless we cut something back in the budget or find some way to do things more efficiently, the figures suggest that the comprehensive fee will have to rise by three or four hundred dollars." This meant that the cost of room, board and tuition would have increased to $4,600, instead of the previous $4,250.
While the increase meant that potential applicants would not know exactly what Amherst would cost them, Assistant Dean of Admission Michael C. Behkne expressed that he doubted that the increase would have a drastic effect on admissions. The article reported that the College was reluctant to raise tuition costs without additional research.
"These are very disturbing figures, and it would be irresponsible to go up that much unless we are sure that we have to," Hertzfeld said.