Reader comments
More cuts may loom for colleges, universities
16 comments | Read story
Frustrated Student also | 12:28 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Not only do the Presidents of the University get hundreds of thousands of
dollars but they have a house that they do not pay for and I doubt they pay any
utilities on.
Books are the most ridiculous part of school. Why do they cost so much and why are they not at the library at school so that it could help those students paying for school and working. Many Professors require books and then do not use them. I pay on average $400 for my books. I am a low number. I know a student who had 4 classes and payed $200 in books for each class. That is ridiculous. Help the students.
Books are the most ridiculous part of school. Why do they cost so much and why are they not at the library at school so that it could help those students paying for school and working. Many Professors require books and then do not use them. I pay on average $400 for my books. I am a low number. I know a student who had 4 classes and payed $200 in books for each class. That is ridiculous. Help the students.
Anonymous | 1:22 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
I also don't understand why the school pays for a car as well as thousands
and thousands of dollars in renovations to the house that President and his
family are getting for free...oh yeah and they are getting a pretty nice
paycheck each year...I'm struggling to make it to pay the rising cost of
tuition as well as affording my books,and housing while the state wants to
mandate health insurance for students. Do they think we are made of money or
something? How come the legislation does not take one for the team and give up
their luxuries?
Comments continue below
Aaron | 2:27 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
I have an idea, lets just ask the president to work for free! Or better yet we
could get someone from Walmart to fill in until the economy rebounds. I can tell
you why university President's have a lot of perks, because he/she is in
high demand. If you want to have good leadership you have to pay for it! Our
presidents in Utah already receive far less than the national average at
comparable institutions. As for the president's house-the president's
home is used for wining and dining donors to the university. Nearly every
university in America, going back to the beginning of time, has a presidential
home used for university functions. I know that books are expensive but would
you rather go without books? The University of Utah, Weber, USU, SUU, wherever,
doesn't set the price of books, that's determined by the publisher.
Tuition costs in Utah are ridiculously low, compare your expenses to other
states and you will be shocked how little you pay! Higher education is
expensive, but it is worth it!
Frank | 2:48 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
I for one would like to know if there are any ideas being brainstormed by an
institute of higher learning to help adjust for the cut. You'd think if
anyone came up with something it would be them. Here's a couple of
freebies from a U dropout.
1. I'm sure they could save several million if they reduced water for campus grass. They use more than half of Salt Lake Cities water supply, and flood that grass like crazy. Heck if they went with zero scaping I'm sure they wouldnt have to fire anyone. We're in a desert afterall.
2. I wouldnt mind paying a few extra hundred in tuition to the school if they would just agree to use last years edition of books in most classes. Thats hundreds of dollars in difference in book costs that could go directly to the school instead.
1. I'm sure they could save several million if they reduced water for campus grass. They use more than half of Salt Lake Cities water supply, and flood that grass like crazy. Heck if they went with zero scaping I'm sure they wouldnt have to fire anyone. We're in a desert afterall.
2. I wouldnt mind paying a few extra hundred in tuition to the school if they would just agree to use last years edition of books in most classes. Thats hundreds of dollars in difference in book costs that could go directly to the school instead.
kUDOS TO Aaron | 2:55 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Exactly,you have no idea, how much time the presidents put in to raise millions
of dollars for their respective schools. And the admin staff works very hard to
keep these small "cities" running over and above the funds the recieve
from the state. Just because higher ed is owned by the state doesn't mean
that they don't have to compete with the private sector for many things. If
you want to cut back, maybe we should look at our sports programs, not all of
them make money. Only if they are winning.....
Student Advocate | 3:31 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
"Tuition costs in Utah are ridiculously low, compare your expenses to other
states and you will be shocked how little you pay! Higher education is
expensive, but it is worth it!"
None of the above statement has any bearing on anything. The bottom line isn't how much book expenses and tuition expenses are cheaper "relative to other states;" the bottome line is that the costs are still too expensive for many students to pay without mortgaging away their future.
Everything is out of whack in our society. Education is worth paying for, but it's not worth anything if it becomes a form of class warfare pitting the most priveleged against the most poor.
The fact is, education has become just another "big business" proposition. Most of the material in textbooks could be just as easily learned without going to school at all. From what I've seen of the text book material, the same material can be cherry-picked off of the Internet.
Until our society gets its priorities in order, the educational process will be nothing more than a scam and a sham---a ripoff!
Maybe a depression will bring some sense back to our country!
None of the above statement has any bearing on anything. The bottom line isn't how much book expenses and tuition expenses are cheaper "relative to other states;" the bottome line is that the costs are still too expensive for many students to pay without mortgaging away their future.
Everything is out of whack in our society. Education is worth paying for, but it's not worth anything if it becomes a form of class warfare pitting the most priveleged against the most poor.
The fact is, education has become just another "big business" proposition. Most of the material in textbooks could be just as easily learned without going to school at all. From what I've seen of the text book material, the same material can be cherry-picked off of the Internet.
Until our society gets its priorities in order, the educational process will be nothing more than a scam and a sham---a ripoff!
Maybe a depression will bring some sense back to our country!
Hook'em | 4:40 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Student advocate has a good point but Aaron did have a point when he made the
statement you say has no bearing on anything. Besides he was responding to the
frustrated student. If you think that costs are too expensive at state schools
there is a way to change that, raise taxes! However, Utah being one of the most
conservative states in the country wants LOW taxes. Unfortunately low taxes and
leads to low budgets and high tuition, fees, etc. at state universities. It
would be nice if we had free education like many European countries, but do you
want to pay 40, 50, 60, even 70% in taxes so that you have "free" or
almost free education (and other services). You can say that our education
system is just a big business, which is partially true, but the US system of
education (despite its shortcomings) is still the envy of the world.
Taking the hit | 4:44 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
it is the student who is basically the major customer here!! and don't you
forget that as many will now be looking at different venues available in order
to get the most for the buck. doesn't matter if one looks around to the
surrounding states ...it all comes down to attrition...colleges will have to pay
attention to who butters their bread and always bear in mind that there are no
bailouts from the state! We are headed for a depression as we have continued the
policy of just keep writing checks ... nobody knows where the money is going,
the time crunch....but the state needs to look at reforms, get the most out..it
will be a travesty to do away with the concurrent enrollment venue at this time
as education is the best investment at this time...Congress needs to stop giving
our money away as we all will pay...but then again why don't you just bail
me out while your at it!
K | 4:53 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008
Higher ED is so high because of the state and federal dollars going into the
system. That should end until they stop increasing tuition for the student. It
makes me sick how much they get in donations from former students as well.
How
Little teaching a professor does in terms of classes taught in most fields and then all the time spent on research, usually with a liberal slant. I guess if you aren't liberal you don't mind?
Little teaching a professor does in terms of classes taught in most fields and then all the time spent on research, usually with a liberal slant. I guess if you aren't liberal you don't mind?
Re-invent. | 10:39 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Higher Ed, like the automobile industry in America is running on old outdated
models. It is starting to price my kids right out of opportunities.
Higher Ed could easily re-invent itself by.
1. Getting rid of worthless courses and degrees. Along with high paid faculty who bring nothing to the University except the desire to brainwash students into their world views.
2. #1 will shorten the length of a degree program by 1 to 2 semesters, and focus students attention on learning real skills to get jobs. Ask employers about how they have to spend millions on getting new employees tooled with real skills.
3. Teach students real skills like financial management, how to buy a house, how to prepare for the future, how to stay on top by always learning, etc, in addition to core courses for their majors in business, engineering, education, and technology.
I have learned more watching discovery, listening to NPR, and reading well authored history books, then I ever did at a University.
It would take bold leadership to do it. Anyone up to the challenge.
Higher Ed could easily re-invent itself by.
1. Getting rid of worthless courses and degrees. Along with high paid faculty who bring nothing to the University except the desire to brainwash students into their world views.
2. #1 will shorten the length of a degree program by 1 to 2 semesters, and focus students attention on learning real skills to get jobs. Ask employers about how they have to spend millions on getting new employees tooled with real skills.
3. Teach students real skills like financial management, how to buy a house, how to prepare for the future, how to stay on top by always learning, etc, in addition to core courses for their majors in business, engineering, education, and technology.
I have learned more watching discovery, listening to NPR, and reading well authored history books, then I ever did at a University.
It would take bold leadership to do it. Anyone up to the challenge.
l | 8:18 p.m. Dec. 7, 2008
To those complaining about presidents getting high salaries, a car allowance,
and a free home, go do their job for a month, and you'll be begging for
your old job back and to be able to pay for your own house where you can kick
people out if you don't want to talk to them and decorate how you like.
The president (who works probably 80 hours per week) and spouse (who works close
to full time without getting paid), end up hosting various groups of people at
their house almost every night, sometimes multiple groups per day. When
they're not hosting someone at their university-owned home, they are
traveling to visit donors or attending events at other places on campus. Take
the amount of time they put in between the two and how much they are paid for it
- they are likely working at a lower hourly rate than if the president was to
return to being a regular faculty member on a 9 or 10 month appointment.
Re Frustrated Student also: | 10:27 p.m. Dec. 7, 2008
I bet your University/College President even has to go to the grocery store to
shop. Have you ever thought about the possibility that your University/College
President probably has a house somewhere that he/she is paying for. Living in
the "Presidents" house on campus is a long-term college tradition.
The house is owned by the school and yes, it is one of the perks of being a
college president. It is something to strive for and a reward for making it to
the top of academia--a college president. I can't believe how many people
(and students) are closet communists, who expect everyone to make the same
amount of money regardless of their jobs. Life in America is full of haves and
have nots. It is a fact of life in a capitalist system. Quit worrying about
your college president's college house. You could kick him out tomorrow
and demolish the house, but it would save pocket change compared to the cuts
that are coming. It is hard economic times like these, that remind students that
they should have tried harder in high school so they could have received
full-ride scholarships.
Thoughts | 9:47 a.m. Dec. 8, 2008
Everyone will pay for the reduction in funding. The student, college staff and
faculty. It is going to take all to overcome this huge issue! The most
interesting comment on this board so far in my opinion is the idea of revamping
the whole idea of higher education. We really do need to be teaching and
educating skills rather than just information. Employers need skilled employees
to continue. We also need to consider the fact that in the near future there
will be an huge need for those skilled in a more "traditional"
fashion. Areas such as welding, automotive, constrution, electrical etc. We
are missing the boat folks. The system does need a face lift.
The real hard question | 11:21 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008
Have you ever pondered on how athletics became so entrenched in our Higher Ed
system. This would be a real cost saving feature to reduce these programs.
Look at how athletics are conducted in England. Everybody participates, there
are rivalries, but the universities carrying little finical responsibility. And
to those that will argue "think about how much the athletic programs bring
in" I argue "think how much we could save if programs were
reduced" especially at the smaller state schools. Anyway look at the
Universities Missions Statements. Athletics is not a key point. Is this
mission creep or misplaced priorities?
Re: Real hard question | 12:44 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
You are right on, as an administrator at one of our "smaller state
schools" I can confirm that our athletics programs lose a lot of money. In
fact most athletics programs, with the exception of football and men's
basketball, lose extreme amounts of money! Some schools are outliers, such as
Tennessee women's basketball and Utah women's gymnastics, but nearly
all athletics programs lose tons of money. Universities really need to consider
how important these programs are. Cut athletics before you cut academics,
please!
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
Related content
- Black Friday store spending up 2:13 p.m.
- Man dies in dirt bike crash 2:06 p.m.
- Gamecocks top No. 15 Clemson 1:51 p.m.
- A naturally 'green' Christmas 1:42 p.m.
- AP: Iverson retirement may be brief 1:26 p.m.
- Case made for strong Fed role 1:15 p.m.
- Vonn fails to qualify for 2nd run 1:00 p.m.
- 911 tapes of Woods' crash on Sun. 12:53 p.m.
- Zardari turns over nuclear authority 12:30 p.m.
- Landreth Seed Co. turns 225 12:18 p.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Rivalry Week is highly profane
- Efforts to save a life praised
- BYU's old uniforms?
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
271 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple214
- Thunder rolls by Jazz136
- Letters: Rushing to judge Palin134
- Boys basketball rankings132
- Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin113
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies111
- Cave to be sealed with body inside108
- Letters: Trump card for believers98
- Rivalry Week is highly profane88
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Latest comments
Utah 28 BYU 22
I want to see him go to golden state or new orleans he could do some damage...
Yeah, it can get pretty bad here, especially during colder months. It really...
Here's the details of the season... Quality wins: Spurs 8-6 Spurs...
Utah will never beat BYU in football!
OK, I'll bite. How does losing to SWBU and Seattle show that Boylen is a...
Read: The Manhattan statement, a Christian(Othodox,Catholic,Protestant)...
I am really embarassed by our fans.
Pierce is a tv critic. He doesn't just write about Real. I appreciate the...
As the article stated one couple had no children and when your neighbors are...
Advertisements
As the funds get cut, the student are going to pay more. It dosen't matter how nuch they cut off the top, it will trickle down to the students. If they do cut the Professors then our quality of education is also cut. It's already unethical for us students to pay the prices for the books required for school, and the universites just keep asking for more. If tuition is allowed to get out of control, like the books, along with the current economic situation, we will see a drop in college student. And a drop in higher learning will not help the economy, or do any good for the future.