Fema Employment

Do you think that financial insecurity could compromise the integrity of educational institutions?

With the reductions in public funding and the increasing cost of essential commodities do you think that the merit of the higher education system will be compromised due to the need for financial revenue in continuing institution operation? Every business requires revenue to continue operation. If higher education institutions can't obtain their revenue from the federal/state government then the higher education institution must look elsewhere. To the students who are attending the institution. Isn't it true that the institution can generate the most revenue by perpetually allowing students to obtain passing grades regardless of their level of skill? Do you think that students are concerned that their degree might not be worth anything if/because the value of the degree has been depreciated due to a lack of integrity? I believe in the value of a college degree, but I think that the value of a college education is in danger. It is becoming harder and harder to find employment. I am advocating for those serious college students who put in the effort necessary to master their respective disciplines. I think it is unfortunate that some people will be incapable of receiving a level of skill equal to others, but it is important that students are placed appropriately. I don't think we are doing anyone a favor by falsely stating that a student who isn't prepared is prepared; it is unfair to lead people on, debts do accumulate.

Public Comments

1. Actually, my school's budget got cut due to lack of adequate state funding so they increased annual tuition by 10%. That's what usually happens. Cut funding = higher tuition for students. So, the programs still stay funded. It's all a matter of who is paying for them.
2. 'Isn't it true that the institution can generate the most revenue by perpetually allowing students to obtain passing grades regardless of their level of skill?' It allows the addition of that students financial contribution for next years college income. 'Do you think that students are concerned that their degree might not be worth anything if/because the value of the degree has been depreciated due to a lack of integrity?' Possibly a sum of students are concerned. 'Financial insecurity' is a subjective notion of an objective contingent condition. There are professors who would take a cut to their budget. There may be professors who would also invite corporate contributions and who would agree to screening and classing students according to corporate agendas. Which qualifications are priority for them in choosing students is not easy to verify objectively.
3. well previously I have been a subscriber to the idea that big business should invest within the local community which it serves. I have always thought that. It seemed to me that the multi national companies all to often took from communities when the local economy was thriving and disappeared when it fell on hard times. Now that this is happening more and more I can see the folly of this approach. If I may point out, where I live, a huge supermarket is giving equitment to schools and while this financial aid is a real benifit, shoppers are now being held to ransome in some ways. The more you buy from them the better your kids will do. I do agree whole heartedly with the suggestion that higher education can and is being comprimised and the pass rate or success of "certain" education institutions may be misrepresented in order to continue. There is also a danger that this big business funding may "lead" career options in thier favour. Sadly though there is a need for a changing future, how much do we tolerate and who suffers in the long run?
4. Yes, definitely. But there are still institutions that manage to raise funds without compromise - usually by teaching the donors the greater value of an uncompromised institution. I understand Yale, or another US institution gave back a $20-million donation for the study of Western Civilization when it became apparent that the donor wanted to direct the project to a kind of cultural imperialism. Good for them! I think that in Australia, where Universities depend on Government funding, the integrity of our Universities can be more compromised than in US with its far stronger tradition and practice of private beneficiaries. That's curious when you consider the Oz tradition of secular scepticism, and the powerful influence in the US of religiosity and "group-think".