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Mike L 97 on Apr 2 2009 2:03PM said:
"The board has a choice, this is bigger than any short term decision to deal with the current economy and economics of the budget. I have not seen the right choices being made in the direction of the institution in many years. The real issue is how to make a quality Clarkson education affordable and make all degree programs competitive that give graduates a great quality of life. To be honest, I just don’t see it. Just about EVERYONE is taking salary cuts and freezing pay, yet I would bet there are still many multi-million projects planned or underway that are in the true sense, unnecessary. The reality is students that graduated 10+ years ago are still paying off student loans, and this is when the prices was half of what they are today. The leaders need some longer term vision on what the quality of life will be long term for students today. I know many that carry so much student loan debt that they are unable to afford to even buy a house. I am the exception here, I was able to start my own business and enjoy a quality of life that is... well good. In hard times, decisions have to be made that require people to step back and see true scope of their actions. There should be FREEZE on tuition increases and the board should be looking to burn a little of the endowment with a plan to replace that. The reality is, people are getting salary freezes and loosing jobs and will not be able to send their kids back in the fall. Imagine a 5 or 10% drop in enrollment. This is far more dangerous. Now is the opportunity to evolve the direction and vision. Everyone knows that higher level education reform needs to happen and eventually will be forced. Why is Clarkson not a leader in the movement? Are we not smart leaders?

My 2 Cents

Mike L 97"

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