In the musical "1776," John Adams asked the same questions Ihave often asked: "Is anybody out there? Does anybody care?"
He was faced with people who were more interested in themselvesand their special interests than in the real reason they were inPhiladelphia that summer.
I fully understand John's problem.
I often wonder if anybody in this community has a clue to whatis happening. As I watch the community verbally react to a problemand then watch their actions to correct it, I fear the answer toJohn's question is, "We are here, but we don't care."
A good example of this is the way we will handle the "trusteeproblem." The board has caused many to criticize the actions ornon-actions they have taken. Not long ago, the trustees tried tosneak in a $1,000 increase to help cover the educational cost offirst-year students.
And now, with the controversy surrounding the departure ofPresident Blaine Brownell, the board's actions are once again beingquestioned. Here is some insight on what will be done to correctthese problems with the board: nothing.
In some schools, students have sued over tuition increases. Somehave started writing campaigns, and some have even gone as far asto personally take their complaint to the legislature, but not atBall State. At Ball State we "pay our fees and take our B's" and toheck with what it will cost others later. The College Board'sAnnual Trends Report points out that, using inflation-adjusteddollars, in-state tuition had jumped 14.1 percent on average in thelast year. Do we care enough to do something about it?
No.
As the cost of our education goes up, the trustees have shownwhere their priorities are -- a $12-million renovation program forthe football stadium. Good idea!
Look at that $6-million loan they used to build thefootball-training facility. Based on the stats, that $6 million islike that $80 million we spend in Iraq -- useless.
Given the rising cost of tuition, the need to cut programs andthe small size of our faculty paychecks, the president of theboard's statement that the "stadium issue was a priority with theboard" does not thrill me.
The main question is do you care? Maybe it is time to starttalking to the state legislature about redefining how money isallotted and spent at a public university? Maybe the way "privatemoney" is used at a public university should be rethought? Maybe weshould review ways to make the administration accountable to thetotal community? Maybe we should force the governor to put afaculty member on the board, just to remind the members why theyare there? Maybe it is time for us to rethink how higher educationshould improve our life? Maybe it time for us to rethink why we areeven here?
Just like John's problem in Philadelphia, most of the peoplearound here are more interested in themselves and their specialinterests than in what is good for education and our community.
Write to Eric at eerichardson@bsu.edu
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