The University Student Success Task Force Forum met in Talley to present suggestions and ideas to students this week. Student Body President Kelly Hook attempted an admirable job in luring students to the forum, however from the feedback from those in attendance, there was not much progress.
There are several issues and problems surrounding the fact that Hook had to lure people to come. If luring students with pizza or scholars or honors credit is the best we can do, then this is a sign of disaster. The University has historically come to students regarding feedback on referenda only to have the opportunity ignored by the student body. Now, the multi-billion dollar UNC system budget shortfall does not seem to concern students or be something they feel is within their control.
Students do not seem to care about budget problems primarily because they feel that “budget matters are a done deal.” Students are not doing anything about the cost of their education and this sends a message that the budget cuts and tuition increases are ok with students within the UNC system. The University will continue to increase tuition and fees and students will have no choice but to pay.
Legislators continually drain from UNC system’s budget, they are also draining opportunities from our state. Students should care about the opportunities they are losing with these budget cuts. When departments are cut so is research, inventions, development improvements, loss of grant revenue and loss of scientific and social knowledge. For example, our University library was once on of the top five research libraries in the nation. When budget cuts hit many years ago, the library never recovered to its once prominent status and fails to make national rankings.
N.C. State was also once listed as a top overall engineering university and student continue to come here to get a engineering degree. However, Georgia Tech and Maryland currently lead ACC colleges in engineering. According to U.S. News & World Report, N.C. State only ranks 111 nationally. It is hard to say where will we rank down the road when we continue to chip away at our budget. Some professors are already saying that it will be a struggle to compete for higher rankings, standards and prestige, and that does not bode well for future students.
The legislature usually takes the tuition and fee increases from the UNC Board of Governors and approves them without much challenge. The legislature needs show due diligence and more communication between them, individual universities and the Board of Governors. This is not to be a “dog and pony” show, but a clear understanding of the value universities add to the community, state, nation and world. This is not the time to assume what a University does, but realize what it actually does that impacts students.
This is students’ last chance to contact their state representatives to voice their opinion or ideas. What seems like a short-term fix with these budget cuts is really a long-term educational disaster for their future and the legacy of our university system. Only if you care?
