I always thought the stereotype “struggling college student” was a hyperbole used in comical conversation when I was growing up. Well, I am not laughing anymore. With the economy in shambles, the reality is that it is now virtually impossible for many American students to pay themselves through college. And what has the University of Denver decided to do? They will be raising tuition for next year. Many of my friends have already started their goodbyes, knowing we will not see each other next year.
I know the life of a struggling college student well because I am one. My summer will not be spent on some exotic beach or in some foreign city, but behind a desk in front of a computer in a cramped office earning money to fund my college education. This is what I must do if I want to continue to study at the University of Denver. I am very lucky to be studying at such a wonderful private University.
What help are we getting from the government? None. What help are we getting from the University? None. The way I see it, we, college students, cannot continue on this bleak road alone anymore. The Government and the University needs a new plan of action to help us “struggling college students.”
Perhaps if universities allocated their spending more responsibly, they would have the funds necessary to continue operating the university without raising tuition. I am livid that I attend a school that will allow students to drop out for financial reasons while they build a stadium that will never be filled because it has too few students. Why couldn’t those funds be allocated towards need-based scholarships? Recently I read in the New York Times and article regarding University staff salaries. Tamar Lewin reported that Pete Carroll, head football coach at the University of Southern California, was paid $4,415,714 in 2007. This is four times the amount of money that is paid to the president of the school, Steven B. Sample. NCAA hockey coaches such as Mike Eaves of University of Wisconsin and Red Berenson of University of Michigan make $225,000 and $300,000 respectively. How can university administrations stand behind paying coaches so much, while the very minds they attempt to broaden must remove themselves from the institution to remain financially stable?
The fact of the matter is, while universities have the means to keep their students at school, it is not the simplest matter when it comes to diverting funds from faculty to students. Because of this, it is the responsibility of the government, and of the current Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to allocate taxes towards helping students stay in the schools at which they have worked so hard to get in. I love being at the University of Denver. Lets hope it stays that way.
I agree and disagree. We should first look at what exists and does not exist. First of all, we should acknowledge that it is true, the University of Denver is raising tuition. However, what is not true about your argument is that the university and government are doing nothing to help. I know for a fact that the majority of students that come to DU are receiving financial aid of some form. I am getting scholarships from DU for academics and that scholarship is helping me come here.
ReplyDeleteWhat is unfortunate for us is that the DU administration has this crazy notion that we are going to be an IVY league school one way or another. That is why we "need" this new stadium, because a school is rated on their academics and their athletics. As far as I am concerned your right. Raising the admission to DU is not the smartest thing to do at the moment. However, I honestly do not think there is anything we can do about it, unless the entire student body rose up and went on strike.
I found your points and perspective to be very intriguing, however I do disagree with you on a few topics. I completely agree that the price is ridiculous and the government should be doing more to help us. However, you did not analyze what that means: more taxes. Not very many people in this country would be okay with an increase government subsidizing because they would have to pay more taxes for that to happen. It is true that the national budget could be worked with and they might find some extra funding, but I don’t believe there would be enough to make much of a dent. Furthermore, people do not have the extra cash right now to pay more taxes if they wanted. So, as much as this would be a dream come true, it seems totally not plausible with the current economic situation of the economy. I have one more point, and that is about the allocation of spending at universities. You say that if they would balance their budget better, universities could have more money for scholarships. First of all, if they are as effective as you imply they could be, they would be able to just lower tuition. But more importantly, I feel that this is a very valid point. Universities are very bad at this. For example, DU wastes a ridiculous amount of money simply by keeping the buildings at a ridiculously uncomfortable heat all the time, using an unnecessary amount of energy all the time.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a shame than many people's chances at receiving higher education are diminishing. But before to much federal aid goes to college students, I want to make sure that every child can at least read. If private institutions are being hit this hard, imagine public schools in rural communities. The private institutions should be the first to fall in a downturn. The private schools are traditionally a privilege of the upper class, and have relied on the donations of those well to do alumni in order to keep going (tuitions alone do not cover operating costs). Generally, the upper class also dictates the way of the economy (Bernie Maddoff, for example). When their greed forsakes them as it is now, they need to reap what they sow. The times are different and college students are not the oligarchy. Still, those that are attending universities such as D.U., can consider themselves privileged no matter how they came into the classroom. The fact is you are receiving a gift a small minority receive. Let's at least make sure others have enough before we demand more.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with the points in this post. I too am struggling to find the money to pay for the immense expenses that come from being a student at the University of Denver. In society today it is completely necessary to have a college education if you wish to progress in life, and with this being known I feel we should have more support from our government in helping pay for these expenses. Also the point that many colleges (especially DU) are spending money in the wrong places is well stated. Don't get me wrong, DU is a gorgeous school, but do we really need copper to line the tops of our dorms? Or do we really need to have the heat on when it's 70 degrees outside? I feel priorities need to be reset in colleges so that the students financial needs come first.
ReplyDeleteThis past quarter I ran into so many people who are considering other schools for the next year, and even spring quarter, all because the administration smiles widely at them and suggests they take out more loans. I am fortunate to be supported by the Music School, however my father's pockets are being stretched as well. I attempted to move off campus for the winter and spring quarters to save some money, but my petition was denied. "You do not show enough financial hardship..." the letter stated. "You still have room for more loans..." I heard at the Housing Department. "Perhaps, you should consider a different, more suitable institution for the next year", was the answer at the Bursar's Office. Fury and frustration developed as I walked from one person to another, seeking someone who could see my logical reasoning for needing to move off campus, but here I am at the dorm... The schools are wrapped up in this business they have created, taking so much money and not letting us get away easily to save a couple of grands. I agree with some of the commentators above, the school does have some nice academic scholarships, and even the Stafford loans are helpful for the time being, but we are not paying so much for the education, as for all the perks, such as living and meal plans... None of us want to settle for a state school though, so perhaps, a massive boycott, as Kanoa mentioned, is an option!
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