Obviously libraries have moved to ebooks (my last two books were digital and print). By using the catalog, anyone can tell what is there. The problem is that digital books are not read the same away that print ones Many studies have shown that digital media does not foster the same kind of reading and retention as print. They are great for a skim and lousy for a serious study.
Also ebooks are often simply strategy so that libraries appear to have good or current collections when in fact they are spending very little as their budgets shrinking. Another current library strategy is to increase circulation by having large graphic novel collections (or other popular genre) heavily advertised to students. Since UGs are significantly less likely to use library resources (digital or print) than a decade ago, libraries have to work hard to demonstrate their place in the university. Decreased circulation obviously is part of the cycle of defunding>unappealing collection>reduce circulation>defunding.
That’s just a fig leaf, and a temporary one. My non-flagship institution’s library, as part of its cost-cutting, ended a bunch of subscriptions this year, including to several e-book collections. If they’d bought paper books they’d still be there, but now…
“The condition of SUNY centers (Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Stony Brook) tells us nothing about the other 58 public colleges (including CCs).”
I agree although in NY a problem is the massive distribution of funds-expensive, if not absurd, replication ad the “we are all the same” mentality. NY is the great democratic state right? Where staff get less respect than students because there are more of them and so they can outvote the staff. And if this isn’t true and the other schools are in even worse shape then the 4 centers, I wouldn’t send my dog to one.
For those that guessed various UVA presidents, was actually referring to former a President of W&M Gene Nichol - and my characterization of what he said was from verbal statements he made in various speeches and gatherings - not sure if his writings were quite that blatant.
The SUNYs aren’t all the same. That is one of the good things about them. We could do with less, but better than the prison system, it is part of what keeps rural areas upstate and west in reasonable economic condition.
There was an effort a couple years ago to let the flagship SUNYs charge higher in-state and out of state tuition, so they could improve their quality. Some market-based tuitions make sense.
@ Squiddy I thought there was a possibility you were talking about someone other than a UVa President as I have never heard or read anything like what you talked about coming from UVa… Didn’t Nichol last as President of Wm & M less than three years? I remember the cross controversy more than anything with him.
The non-impacted CSUs (CSUB, CSUCI, CSUDH, CSUEB, CSUStan) are presumably where most of the existing or cheap additional capacity can be found.
But perhaps the root of the shortage of college graduates has more to do with K-12 preparation. Stronger K-12 preparation would mean that more of those entering college would be able to graduate.
The real issue is that many, if not a majority, of students in state universities are wasting their time and our money. Ask any ‘honest’ professor, or better yet an adjunct professor. I have asked at least a dozen while doing a research project. The answer is about the same from my conversations, and goes like this… "Most of the students in my class have no business being here. They do not care, do just enough to get by, and clearly are not motivated. Yet, there are a few in my class that work hard, try hard, and will do well in life. And, they tend to be either older students or children of recent immigrants. The smart kids from wealthy families go to private schools, smart kids from poorer families come here. Both groups will succeed and the school they attended will make no difference after their first jobs. We are wasting our money on most students, and the schools KNOW that. But, like any bureaucracy, the administrators simple want more tax dollars to ‘fix’ the problem. The problem is NOT money related, however.
A big part of the California problem is politics. UC Davis had 18 professionals (non-teaching) who make over $100K a year with the word ‘Diversity’ in their job title. Get rid of the Political Correctness and put the money back into education. I am sure the gay feminist Hungarian basketweaving PhD students will do just fine without their own ‘Diversity’ dean threatening to sue everyone.
Educational websites and biased research will not help here. We have TOO MANY college grad and not enough skilled labor. Shortages of diesel mechanics, med workers, industrial electricians, etc. Too many Gender Studies, Women’s Literature, and Communications degree holders.
Illinois doesn’t have a budget due to disagreements between the Republican governor and Democratic state senate. To my knowledge(and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong) public schools such as SIU-C are running on reserve funds. Public universities here are facing 33% cuts I believe. The graduate and undergraduate assistants don’t know if they are funded next semester(unless there is an update I don’t know about). The MAP grant which is a state grant offered to undergrads was given out for the fall but is unsure about the spring semester. Pretty interesting situation.
Scott Walker and Florida’s Rick Scott are two of the worst governors in the United States. Walker has defunded the U of W by more than $100,000,000 over the last few years. Scott is also cutting funds to the excellent Florida Public Universities. Result is that both systems have declined in the ratings of top Universities.
SUNY system is always underfunded and crying poverty regardless of who is governor and how the economy is. Unlike flagships in other states, the SUNY system was developed expressly for people who could not afford private school and would otherwise not attend any college. In fact, promises were made not to compete with the private schools for students. It was not a system designed to be outstanding. It was designed to be adequate, at best. Yes the 4 centers attract a lot of students who want a cheap education. And they attract strong students because it is the best deal to be had. But it does not provide the type of experience students can have at the top public schools that were designed to be outstanding-rather than just adequate.
@Poulou Which “top” universities in Florida are experiencing a decline in ratings? And funding has been increasing significantly over the last few years as the economy has improved (especially at UF and FSU). In Florida, it’s the state legislature that really drives funding.
There have been several comments about budgets and and lack of funding for colleges in states such as California, Illinois, and Wisconsin. These can turn political, of course. I would have the posters stand back and look at the financial situation in their states. Illinois, for one, is near insolvency when considering the massive public retirement debt. Wisconsin has was completely under the control of corrupt public unions. Both are going through withdrawal similar to what an addict would need to do. You worry about cuts in dorm cafeteria food or the lack of sensitivity training toward every type of lifestyle on campus. The rest of the state worries about massive tax increases and major cuts in pension payments. Or worse, default on muni bonds.
California has other problems. They cannot fund colleges, but can fund a $40B high speed rail that runs through the ag part of the state, where there are many more cows than people. Payback for the Governors campaign contributors, insolvency for the state. Disaster for the CSU and UC systems.
College parents, you are getting what you voted for the last 20 years. Save your complaints.
Careful of the obvious political posts, Poulou. But when you want to go there, at least get your facts straight.
UW-Madison increased from 13 to 11th among public Unis in the last year. And it continues to bounce around the 40’s in all Unis. While it did drop from '14 to '15, its back to the '14 ranking in '16. (It was #41 in '16 and 41 in '14.) Of course, the schools in this level are so close that any small shift in stats or reports can move them up or down 3-5 spots easily on any given year.
Other than that, and the miss on Florida, your post is accurate?
Wow. Glad to see such politically neutral posts as this: “Wisconsin has was completely under the control of corrupt public unions.”
Also, only on Planet USNWR has Wisconsin ever not been a top-tier public university, and placing it in the 40s for all universities is an example of what a joke the ratings are. At least until the damage currently being done really takes hold.
No, most middle-class and lower-income people are worried about the rising costs of tuition itself - when their wages haven’t risen much at all in the past 30 years.
