Big Education's Extravagance

Old Virginia Blog ^ | 05/04/2009 | Richard Williams

[Davy Buck]

In an earlier post, one of my readers remained unconvinced that American Universities and Colleges have gone down the same path as much of Corporate America and, therefore, deserve the same scorn and nannyism from the Obama administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress - if one is to be consistent. But don't hold your breath. Most academics share the same statist philosophy as their soul mates in the Federal government and, thus, get a pass. . .

[jeffc]

Years ago I attended a community college which was fairly new at the time and was set in a very scenic "rural-type" environment - very conducive to being peaceful and quiet, a nice place to study indoors or out. Nice carpeting, big windows, calming and soothing decorating, comfortable seating and plenty of it, too.

Today the decorating is gone, replaced (if at all) with loud flashy advertisements for the school. What seating remains (very little) is old and decrepit; the trash cans are always (always!) overflowing. The classrooms are crowded and need a serious painting and the desks are tiny and falling apart (literally).
Yet walk into the administrative building that houses the college Dean and President, et al and you are surrounded by resplendent opulence, well-taken care of indoor plants, faux paintings, luxurious carpeting, all extolling a quiet, dignified office ambience.

You can easily tell that much money was spent on the bigwigs and where they work, but very little on where the paying customers (students) must spend their time trying to learn. All this while tuition rises faster than you can get up in the morning!

I won't even mention parking . . . . .

[Davy Buck]

Jeffc:

Thanks. A good example of what I’m talking about.

[SunkenCiv]

American Universities and Colleges have gone down the same path as much of Corporate America and, therefore, deserve the same scorn and nannyism from the Obama administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress -- if one is to be consistent. But don't hold your breath. Most academics share the same statist philosophy as their soul mates in the Federal government and, thus, get a pass. . .