2008 Woodie Awards
Trimming fat: value over quality
University makes decisions on who goes, who stays
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Opinion
The staff editorial is the majority opinion of the editorial board of The Murray State News.
For months there have been discussions, debates and wringing of hands across campus about how to cope with the state budget cuts and what the money crunch means for every University department.
Since the Board of Regents' decision to increase tuition by only 6 percent instead of the proposed 9 percent, University President Randy Dunn and administrative directors have been sifting through an already tight budget to come up with an additional $2 million.
Today, Dunn will present the proposed cuts to the University and later to the Board of Regents for approval. These proposed cuts will affect students, staff and faculty across the University and state.
They include cuts in library holdings, a reduction in Carr and Honor scholarships, the elimination of women's rowing, the postal service, the dean of agriculture, the Shield and various positions in Enrollment Management and the athletic department. The list goes on and on.
Eventually, we'll just be left with a cashier's office and a printing press for diplomas. There will be no need to go through the daunting process of attending class, learning or thinking because there won't be any faculty or staff left. Forget about traditions, campus life and student involvement.
With the lagging economy crumbling financial aid from the state and the inflation of tuition cost, it's no wonder Murray State's enrollment is decreasing, while area community colleges are at record highs. What will Murray State have to offer over these two-year schools?
When does quality trump cost? Even with the tuition increase, the overall cost to attend Murray State is relatively low when compared to other colleges across the state and country, but at the expense of the University's programs.
The News begs the question: what are we giving up when the University starts cherry-picking programs, departments and staff to cut?
The News also asks the Board of Regents to cautiously weigh the positives and negatives of each individual budget cut because of the strong detrimental effects it will inevitably have on students, staff and the future of the University.
For months there have been discussions, debates and wringing of hands across campus about how to cope with the state budget cuts and what the money crunch means for every University department.
Since the Board of Regents' decision to increase tuition by only 6 percent instead of the proposed 9 percent, University President Randy Dunn and administrative directors have been sifting through an already tight budget to come up with an additional $2 million.
Today, Dunn will present the proposed cuts to the University and later to the Board of Regents for approval. These proposed cuts will affect students, staff and faculty across the University and state.
They include cuts in library holdings, a reduction in Carr and Honor scholarships, the elimination of women's rowing, the postal service, the dean of agriculture, the Shield and various positions in Enrollment Management and the athletic department. The list goes on and on.
Eventually, we'll just be left with a cashier's office and a printing press for diplomas. There will be no need to go through the daunting process of attending class, learning or thinking because there won't be any faculty or staff left. Forget about traditions, campus life and student involvement.
With the lagging economy crumbling financial aid from the state and the inflation of tuition cost, it's no wonder Murray State's enrollment is decreasing, while area community colleges are at record highs. What will Murray State have to offer over these two-year schools?
When does quality trump cost? Even with the tuition increase, the overall cost to attend Murray State is relatively low when compared to other colleges across the state and country, but at the expense of the University's programs.
The News begs the question: what are we giving up when the University starts cherry-picking programs, departments and staff to cut?
The News also asks the Board of Regents to cautiously weigh the positives and negatives of each individual budget cut because of the strong detrimental effects it will inevitably have on students, staff and the future of the University.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jim Clinkenbeard
posted 5/05/08 @ 8:34 AM CST
My wife and I are lifetime members of the Alumni Association and contributors. We are appalled at the news that Paul Radke is a "budget cut." Paul is the voice AND face of MSU. (Continued…)
Steven Taylor
posted 5/24/08 @ 1:55 AM CST
Oh Good lord, RADKE?! He serves a vital, rather, SEVERAL vital roles for this university! He's our voice, our avatar, our smiling face of sincerity! Good Lord, the man still knows my name after four and a half years!
University, please, I beg of you, there must be another way. (Continued…)
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