There are 11 million reasons why our wallets all might be getting lighter pretty soon.
The economy's terrible, funding for public education's disappearing and the budgets cuts at UMass are going to start affecting student fees as soon as next semester.
Unfortunately, upping the cost to go to school at UMass is not something that the administration will implement quietly. The student body has made is quite clear that they oppose anything that messes with fees. Fees yo, fees.
As opposed to last year, though, the students can't plead ignorance. This year 's administration, under Chancellor Holub, has been more than open about the status of the budget situation at the school. That is, of course, if you check your e-mail. You do read those things, right?
Regardless, the administration has released more information than past administrations imagined. Even if you missed the e-mails, the school has set up a Web site, http://www.umass.edu/chancellor/budget.html, to provide even more information on the situation.
However, all the information in the world can't cover up the fact that the university's plan includes an increase in the cost to go here.
The students at UMass can't strike their way out of this one. There are going to be changes.
Beyond the preferences of the students, and their parents' bank accounts, is the fact that having a low cost is UMass' calling card. The ability for this university to attract top students is almost directly related to the low cost of tuition here.
There's a budget crisis at UMass and the country at large. The simplest solution, raising fees, is not the best option for the university's future.
In fact, the weakened economy is one of the best things that have happened for this school in a while. Though it's insensitive in perspective, the fact that some families won't be able to pay for top-flight schools will tempt them to choose UMass because of its lower costs.
Sure, the University of Massachusetts is a fine institution of learning; but, its reputation of "ZooMass" has a tendency to deter some students. As long as the fees stay low, UMass still has the potential to shed its party image.
Therefore, the option of raising fees is not one that the administration should pursue. There are countless other outlets to shift the burden of the financial cuts. Changing spending and making cuts across the board doesn't sound fun, but it has to be done.
As we all know, that future has been the prominent focus of UMass' administration for some time. But raising fees would place uncertainty on UMass becoming the best. Research. Institution. Ever.
The underlying problem of the UMass budget situation is not one that requires a great deal of explanation. Rather, it is a dilemma that can be resolved within the simplest of terms.
Stop spending money on all this stuff. No, seriously, stop spending so much money.
Look around this campus and tell me that there isn't spending everywhere. There's a new studio arts building, we have a new nursing building, a new rec building is under construction and there's a new building for the marching band that's in the planning stages. The "New Dirt" project, which has been incredibly popular to students and has not been an inconvenience to anyone, has run the school a billion dollars.
If it's necessary, the school should go to the extremes in order to keep fees down. There are countless advertising angles that this university has yet to pursue. But under the current economic situation, they may be necessary.
The current contract with Coca-Cola isn't the worst thing to grace our campus, so other deals with companies to bring in revenue could be explored.
However, if conventional advertising proposals don't work, the school should just put a giant billboard on top of the library. You'd be able to see it for miles. Sure, it would be an eyesore and everyone would hate it, but fees would be lower and the school would attract better students.
In all honesty, though, I wouldn't mind living in "NAPA Auto Parts" hall or telling my friends that I'm living in "Office Depot" next semester. If it works for NASCAR, it could work here.
Plus, making such radical moves to maintain lower fees would provide some good press for the school. Who wouldn't want to look at a school that will do anything within the realm of possibility to keep fees down?
Regardless of what the university decides to do, it must be done soon. Holub has made is clear that, rather than steadily bleed money, the school is going to take one large cut at once.
So board up your windows, the cut's a-comin.
Nick O 'Malley is a Collegian columnist. He can be reached at nomalley@student.umass.edu.
Be the first to comment on this article!