Our university is in trouble, folks. Three years ago, when I first visited this campus, I noticed all the new buildings and what a beautiful campus Fairfield had. Now as a prospective junior, I see the other effects of those new buildings, our budget woes.
The rapid expansion of this campus gave the campus a new look, much needed. It updated dorms, our library, and other buildings. But now, the administration is getting all the bills and they’ve realized the mistake that had been made. Expansion is good but when done too quickly and without looking into the future, like Fairfield did, bad things are bound to happen.
Of course, a poor economy and stock market are hurting endowments all over the country. But other schools didn’t expand as quickly as Fairfield when the economy was good. Hence, Fairfield is having greater budgetary problems.
The administration needs to solve the budget woes. First, the football and hockey programs were cut. Teachers are let go. Then merit pay for professors falls apart. What’s next? Are we going to close the BCC to save money (and stomachs)? Actually, it is rumored that our tuition will increase next year-again.
Tuition normally rises due to inflation. But if the budget is in as much trouble as it seems to be, tuition will probably dramatically increase. We, the students, will again salvage the administration for its errors and mistakes.
The administration seems to be perfectly happy upsetting the very people it should work hard to keep happy. Many professors are dismayed with the sudden layoffs and the merit pay fiasco. Students were upset about the program cuts and if our tuition rises, parents and students will be up in arms.
Tuition is already obscenely high and I personally don’t want to think about having to spend even more money to attend school. What irks me the most is why tuition is rising.
Frankly, the university erred by expanding too quickly without looking at the possible consequences. The campus was supposed to get a complete makeover. Unfortunetly, that look is only partially complete.
They have delayed everything from the “Grand Boulevard” to the new Rec-Plex. The only parts of the new design being worked on are the new tennis courts because the current courts are cracked and nearly unplayable.
It has forced itself into breaking promises and cutting programs, not something a competitive university wants to do. Fairfield has control the damage of this budget downfall. The school needs to think long and hard to avoid hurting its reputation any further.
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