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Frivolous Spending at Sonoma State University
CSU is proposing a tuition increase, while schools seem to have more than enough money to spare. This is evident when visiting campuses. Sonoma State has recently built a million dollar music hall and is working on a new wine spectator building. So why does the CSU need to raise tuition?
Frivolous Spending at Sonoma State
By Natalee Lewis
Just take a visit to the Sonoma State University campus to see that the University is flourishing, while the students are struggling to pay their tuition. Tuition that has increased substantially over the years, and is scheduled to rise an additional $270 dollars taking effect in the 2017-18 school year. Just twenty years ago tuition was just over $1,700.The Chancellor states the increase is necessary to cover costs, but at an annual tuition cost of $7,388 per student, it seems that SSU is pulling in more than enough to cover their costs. Where does all this money go? Maybe the Green Music center that cost millions even after donations? Or the elaborate student center that also cost millions? The 300,000 outdoor T.V? Perhaps the tuition goes to increase the CSU Chancellor’s salary which is astronomically high at over $500,000 a year. SSU has spent millions in the last decade building a new library, gymnasium, and new buildings, so why is CSU proposing a tuition increase?
Maybe SSU could use some of the tuition to renovate Stevenson Hall, which has an asbestos problem that has not been adequately addressed. Students and professors are still using this building while there is asbestos coming through the air ducts covering the inside of the classrooms and offices of the professors. While some of the classrooms are state of the art, others are in need of new desks, and in need of renovation. Such as the case in Ives Hall. The desks are very uncomfortable and old. If frivolous spending is going to occur it should be done to improve the comfort of the students and professors.
It is clear that tuition seems to be going to wasteful spending, most of which the students do not approve. As a Sonoma State student myself, I would rather pay less tuition than have a new music Green Music hall that I have never used or plan to, especially for my education. The Green Music hall cost millions and does not cater to students, rather it caters to the rich public. Furthermore, I don't need a big outdoor T.V for my education, or a million dollar gymnasium.
What I do want as a student is to have my costs for attending college low. I am not making much money, and I don't have the excess of funds to pay my tuition. Myself, like many other students have taken out student loans to cover my tuition. Tuition that is already substantially high considering college used to be free. It seems to me as tuition rises so does the wasteful spending at SSU, and it becomes clear that a strong correlation emerges that the higher the tuition, the more we see unnecessary spending.
Once and for all, SSU administrators need to remember that students are not consumers creating a profit for the administrators.
By Natalee Lewis
Just take a visit to the Sonoma State University campus to see that the University is flourishing, while the students are struggling to pay their tuition. Tuition that has increased substantially over the years, and is scheduled to rise an additional $270 dollars taking effect in the 2017-18 school year. Just twenty years ago tuition was just over $1,700.The Chancellor states the increase is necessary to cover costs, but at an annual tuition cost of $7,388 per student, it seems that SSU is pulling in more than enough to cover their costs. Where does all this money go? Maybe the Green Music center that cost millions even after donations? Or the elaborate student center that also cost millions? The 300,000 outdoor T.V? Perhaps the tuition goes to increase the CSU Chancellor’s salary which is astronomically high at over $500,000 a year. SSU has spent millions in the last decade building a new library, gymnasium, and new buildings, so why is CSU proposing a tuition increase?
Maybe SSU could use some of the tuition to renovate Stevenson Hall, which has an asbestos problem that has not been adequately addressed. Students and professors are still using this building while there is asbestos coming through the air ducts covering the inside of the classrooms and offices of the professors. While some of the classrooms are state of the art, others are in need of new desks, and in need of renovation. Such as the case in Ives Hall. The desks are very uncomfortable and old. If frivolous spending is going to occur it should be done to improve the comfort of the students and professors.
It is clear that tuition seems to be going to wasteful spending, most of which the students do not approve. As a Sonoma State student myself, I would rather pay less tuition than have a new music Green Music hall that I have never used or plan to, especially for my education. The Green Music hall cost millions and does not cater to students, rather it caters to the rich public. Furthermore, I don't need a big outdoor T.V for my education, or a million dollar gymnasium.
What I do want as a student is to have my costs for attending college low. I am not making much money, and I don't have the excess of funds to pay my tuition. Myself, like many other students have taken out student loans to cover my tuition. Tuition that is already substantially high considering college used to be free. It seems to me as tuition rises so does the wasteful spending at SSU, and it becomes clear that a strong correlation emerges that the higher the tuition, the more we see unnecessary spending.
Once and for all, SSU administrators need to remember that students are not consumers creating a profit for the administrators.
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Asbestos doesn't just blow through vents of whatever building it's installed in. The danger from asbestos comes from cutting or grinding it. That's why most people with asbestos-related cancer are people that worked in factories or workshops where asbestos was being cut, ground, or otherwise manipulated into a powder that gets into your lungs. It won't hurt you if you're simply near it in its solid form.
Many of these buildings are paid for with money that is earmarked by the state for capital improvements, or with money earned from selling bonds where the proceeds are only authorized for use in capital improvements. The latter are approved by popular vote in state-wide elections. The university isn't allowed to use the money for anything but buildings and a giant TV.
The Gym and the library were both completed before 2005. Not in the last decade.
I get that you don't want to pay for buildings that you're not going to use, but the reason you have your nice University Center and cafeteria is because I and my fellow students approved a tuition increase by popular vote to pay for part of it when I was there. I graduated in 2009 and never got to see or use any of it, but it makes the University draw more and better students, improving the school's reputation, and increasing the value of my degree, so I'm okay with it. That and I'm happy for the current students that they have a cool place to hang out. Because I'm not selfish.
Many of these buildings are paid for with money that is earmarked by the state for capital improvements, or with money earned from selling bonds where the proceeds are only authorized for use in capital improvements. The latter are approved by popular vote in state-wide elections. The university isn't allowed to use the money for anything but buildings and a giant TV.
The Gym and the library were both completed before 2005. Not in the last decade.
I get that you don't want to pay for buildings that you're not going to use, but the reason you have your nice University Center and cafeteria is because I and my fellow students approved a tuition increase by popular vote to pay for part of it when I was there. I graduated in 2009 and never got to see or use any of it, but it makes the University draw more and better students, improving the school's reputation, and increasing the value of my degree, so I'm okay with it. That and I'm happy for the current students that they have a cool place to hang out. Because I'm not selfish.
I remember paying $50 per semester fees and $50 per semester books in the late 1960s and early 1970s at Sonoma State University. We received top quality education then because it was an accredited school, the same as all other accredited schools. We did not have the Giant TV, the student socializing center, a special music center beyond an accredited music department, exercise centers (running and walking are good forms of exercise and do not require any gyms and I never used any gym at Sonoma State) and all other palm-greasing construction projects that have nothing to do with education and everything to do with making the rich richer. THERE IS NO NEED FOR A GIANT TV AT ALL. Asbestos comes in through the air ducts and must be removed. (An internet search shows that asbestos in air ducts is a common problem.) There is no excuse for not having comfortable seating for all students. It is an outrageous theft of our tax dollars to pay anyone a HALF MILLION DOLLARS to be an administrator; that is a political payoff. No salary should be more than $200,000 a year. Our public schools do not exist as promotional rackets; they exist to educate the labor force. Our public school system is the backbone of our state and our country.
Top quality of education of "Dan" is lacking as demonstrated in his poor writing skills. He states "because I and my fellow students" when he must always put himself last, "my fellow students and I." We learned that in 5th grade. "Installed in" is improper English since one must avoid ending a sentence with a proposition. Instead of "whatever building it's installed in," it should be "in whatever building it is installed." The use of contractions in writing should be avoided as much as possible. Street talk such as "I get that you don't want to pay" instead of "I understand" and "so I'm okay with it" instead of ending the sentence before this phrase, and the final flourish of grossly incorrect English: "That and I'm happy for the current students that they have a cool place to hang out. Because I'm not selfish." makes me wonder if "Dan" graduated from high school, much less college. Clearly, this last stupidity is one sentence, not two; it should have started with "I am happy" and using the term "cool place to hang out" is street talk. Further, we do not pay our tax dollars for a place for people to waste time.
If "Dan" did graduate from college, then our school system is a complete failure.
Top quality of education of "Dan" is lacking as demonstrated in his poor writing skills. He states "because I and my fellow students" when he must always put himself last, "my fellow students and I." We learned that in 5th grade. "Installed in" is improper English since one must avoid ending a sentence with a proposition. Instead of "whatever building it's installed in," it should be "in whatever building it is installed." The use of contractions in writing should be avoided as much as possible. Street talk such as "I get that you don't want to pay" instead of "I understand" and "so I'm okay with it" instead of ending the sentence before this phrase, and the final flourish of grossly incorrect English: "That and I'm happy for the current students that they have a cool place to hang out. Because I'm not selfish." makes me wonder if "Dan" graduated from high school, much less college. Clearly, this last stupidity is one sentence, not two; it should have started with "I am happy" and using the term "cool place to hang out" is street talk. Further, we do not pay our tax dollars for a place for people to waste time.
If "Dan" did graduate from college, then our school system is a complete failure.
I was not aware the comments section of an indy news website is no place for "street talk".
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