This academic year, Chungbuk National University(CBNU) reduced tuition by 5.3%. In terms of money, an average of 120,000 won was cut in the total amount of each semester's tuition. The average tuition reduction ratio(ratio of reduced tuition) of 10 local major national universities was 5.35%, so CBNU’s tuition reduction ratio is similar to the averag.
 The University of Seoul truly realized half tuition by lowering its tuition by a large amount. However, 109 universities slightly brought their tuitions down by 2% to 10%. CBNU, which has frozen tuition for 3 years, reduced tuition by an annual average of 235,898 won. Compared to private universities such as Sunmoon University(427,943 won) and Youngdong University(418,361 won), CBNU’s tuition was reduced by a small amount because its tuition was originally small. However, CBNU’s reduced tuition is not a small sum compared with other major local national universities which lowered tuitions by 2%: Pusan University(223,450 won), Chonnam University(216,075 won), Chonbuk University(243,790 won), Chungnam University(227,552 won); and some major private universities: Korea University 169,124 won, Sogang University 195,391 won, Chung-ang University 184,370 won, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies 151,318 won). Concerning the tuition reduction of CBNU, Seol Jang-ho, Dept. of Physics Education ‘11, said, “Because CBNU was a national university, its tuition was originally cheap. I think CBNU reduced its tuition a lot,” and he looked quite satisfied with the total amount of reduced tuition. However, some students want its tuition to be cut more.
 A shortage of operating expenses is predicted for CBNU. Therefore, CBNU is trying cost cutting and solicitation of outside scholarships. The accounting department of CBNU said they are considering a cost-cutting measure by bulk purchasing. For example, when buying a computer, the accounting department buys computers for each college across the board. This method reduces costs through a substantial volume discount. In regard to this, Lim Byeong-cheol, the team leader of the accounting department, said, “We may not be able to meet each colleges' demands. However, our first order of business is to reduce expenses.”
 Meanwhile, after universities announced tuition cuts, some students are worried that the quality of education will be lower and the welfare system will be worsen. Team leader Lim said about the situation, “The quality of education in CBNU has improved more than ever before. CBNU already received scholarships of 5.6 billion won from the government, and the tuition deliberation committee discussed expanding scholarships in school and from outside institutions.” He answered a reporter’s question about a plan to reduce the tuition in the future, “It is too early to answer that yet.  However, if CBNU brought down tuition without the government’s financial support, the quality of education will be lower inevitable.” Furthermore, Bae Deuk-ryeol, a chairman of the tuition deliberation committee, said at the meeting, “This year, the government assigned funding to universities, but if they don't support universities next year, a clash is expected between students and the government.”
 Jung Min-kyeong, Dept. of Child Welfare ‘09, said about the declining quality of education that can happen because of tuition cuts, “I think when tuition has to be reduced, professors who teach without much enthusiasm are not responsible,” and she added, “I hope the government's support rises, so CBNU can achieve both tuition reduction and improving the quality of education.” On the contrary, many students, including Cha Seo-jin, Dept. of Nursing ‘12, said, “When the quality of education declines because of tuition cuts, I will pay the same amount of tuition as before.” They think quality of education and student welfare are more important than tuition decreases. In addition, Byun Ho-seung, who is a professor in the Department of Education, expressed concerns about this issue, “It is impossible for the national universities to make large tuition reductions because of their financial situations. Tuition reductions for the sake of display will make staff members have no energy to work, and, as a result, the university and students will lose competitiveness. Tuitions at some US major private high schools reach almost fifty million won. Through this example, we can know how much money should be invested in students for a good education.” He also said, “The universities that require expensive tuitions are not necessarily better, but good universities that demand cheap tuitions do not exist.” Professor Byun added, “The government should monitor where tuition funds are used rather than compel universities to cut their tuitions.”