<p>Newmass....please re-read....I don't oppose these old buildings, but I encourage retro-fiting them for energy conservation....somethings as simple as an in room thermostate on the steam radiator can save a bundle for a school. I have been in buildings that are over heated...even see dorm rooms with open windows in winter because the heat is on so high.</p>
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There is no longer the need to have the 5th or 6th largest library in the nation since more research is done electronically, so library costs should shift.
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<p>Shift, perhaps, but not go down. Universities are expected to be the repositories of all human knowledge. They have to keep everything that came before, AND add everything that comes along now and in the future. </p>
<p>And the "now and in the future" is no small thing. Knowledge is increasing, as is students' & faculty's expectation that they should have access to it. </p>
<p>Whether that's hard copy or electronic, this is a pretty staggering amount of library resources colleges have to provide.</p>
<p>Mini identifies the real problem within the problem. . .increased costs of public post-secondary education. </p>
<p>Top privates are very willing to give aid to outstanding students that need help, but there is not quite as much demand for average students, part-time students and non-traditional students, who have traditionally been served by the two- and four-year publics. </p>
<p>Relative to the first point, I know of several students whose actual cost at top 50 LACs is lower than what they would have paid at in-state flagship unis, despite sticker prices of approximately triple the cost.</p>
<p>Regarding the other point, a low-income student that has to attend a public college while at the same time working to help his or her family stay solvent has been hammered by tuition increases.</p>
<p>"Relative to the first point, I know of several students whose actual cost at top 50 LACs is lower than what they would have paid at in-state flagship unis, despite sticker prices of approximately triple the cost."</p>
<p>I paid the bill (very happily!) literally today, and the bill was slightly less than half of what it would have been at our flagship state uni.</p>