University of Wisconsin students have been checking mailboxes over the past week to find one similar looking piece of campus-stamped mail — it’s that time of semester again for writing large checks and overdrawing bank accounts.

Tuition bills were sent out en masse and the typical shocked looks and comments ensued. When faced with the enormity of the bill, more than one student received an angry call from a parent and more than one student took a gasping peek at his or her bank account.

Out-of-state tuition this semester amounts to $9,933.08 and in-state tuition stands at $2,933.12. But don’t fret students: you have a whopping two weeks to foot the bill. Tuition must be paid in one lump sum by February 4. As always, monthly payments are not an option.

Several peer institutions such as Illinois and Iowa cut students a bit of slack, allowing monthly payments and flexibility in payment methods, but not UW. UW accepts cash or check. Students cannot charge tuition allowing a partial payback at the end of the year and students cannot work year round on a partial payment plan. Apart from loans, there is no way around the process of directly dolling out thousands at the beginning of each semester.

A change in the method is in order. Students and parents alike deserve options. Tuition is consistently rising and UW is becoming increasingly more difficult to afford. UW sticks to the four to one tuition ratio — the only public school in the Big Ten to do so. It is only fair that UW extend payment options to allow monthly payments and credit card options. Why must UW students not only be stuck with an exorbitant bill but also a practically impossible way of paying?

Yes, this is nothing new. It has been going on for years. But it doesn’t mean as students we must sit back and let the process continue unchallenged. It’s only right that students demand UW fix it for future generations; for tuition is surely still on the rise.