Special to The Collegian
Kelly Caplan
On April 11, the VP of Student affairs sent a message to my inbox at 4:44 p.m. informing students and faculty about a forum proposing a remodeled USU and Faculty Development Center. This forum was set for the next day at Noon. While I am glad there is another forum occurring at Noon on April 27, I’m suspicious about the surprising nature of the initial e-mail. Because of work, I was unable to attend the first forum and I have personally seen this tactic used to prevent concerned people from attending and asking hard questions like “how much is this going to cost” or, perhaps “are you making students pay for it?”
I understand there’s a brand to uphold (although I cringe at the fact that my education is now a privatized commodity), but I am not going to allow our administration do so at the expense of students, if that is the case. It would seem rather ironic asking students for money after recently opening Fresno State’s Student Cupboard due to the 1 in 3 students who are food insecure. While the model pictures look shiny and pretty, you best find another way to pay for it. And while you’re at it, perhaps you should consider dishing out private funds to fix our decaying buildings? Or maybe actually give the English department their own building? And possibly, in the process, you could get your priorities straight?