Commentary provided by Joe McLaughlin and Dr. Kent Smith demonstrates one of the effects of misplaced priorities: a disconnect between professors and administrators. And the only likely suspect for the disconnection does not appear to be a difference of opinion but instead miscommunication.
McLaughlin’s letter detailed reasons why students should have their General Fee rebalanced. His comments highlighted many important reasons for a balance, including Ohio University’s coming loss of State Share of Instruction and the potential for Student Affair’s support services to not lose revenue.
McLaughlin references Budget Planning Council’s faculty representatives as unanimous in their belief that the General Fee must be rebalanced. McLaughlin communicates why balancing the General Fee is responsible to academic excellence at OU.
Smith’s letter detailed reasons why he approves a recent resolution passed by Student Senate that reaffirms support services offered by Student Affairs. Smith’s comments highlight the importance of health and wellness services, services provided inside Baker University Center and student recreation. Smith communicates why not making cuts to the General Fee is responsible to the student experience at OU.
The disconnection creates a question: Should the General Fee be rebalanced or should it not be rebalanced? Cuts are coming to statewide public education in Ohio, and misplaced priorities may not be the fault of university administrators, faculty members or outstanding student debts.
The rush to change has been brought on by fear, and professors and administrators should try seeing the perspectives of the students who are committed to education throughout the duration of the course of their studies at OU.
As students all have to make deadlines, take financial cuts and adjust quickly to be responsible to themselves, what cuts, services and adjustments are necessary to stay afloat? And what items are most necessary to the students who have been committed to their education the most?
Which students intrinsically value the university, the city, their programs and their degrees highly, and what are they doing to adapt to the times?
If certain students are doing what they must to get by, then OU should direct its resources to help them finish. Committed students are where OU will find its greatest needs and the clear path to do what is fair.
Christopher Myers is a senior studying philosophy.
