Most of the schools are Taj Mahals. This is a huge contributor to cost. Expansion, of course, is understandable but the facilities that are being built these days are outrageous.
Also, the elephant in the room is sports. Of course there is the argument that this is money in the bank to colleges but I see it unnecessary and I believe does not do one thing for lowering schools cost. I believe WWRP do here is valid.
Just as a funny side note. I went to a Community College that at the time was ranked 5th in the nation for Math and Science. I attended school there for the same reason I went to ASU… It was “down the street” from my house but later I learned the history behind the school’s mascot and colors. Scottsdale Community College was founded as a academic CC. At some point the administration decided to have sports program against the initial philosophy of the school. When it came time to vote in a mascot and colors this is what the chose. The Mascot: The Artichoke… The Colors: Pink and “Puuky” Green.[/quote]
Good points.
And there is another elephant in the room that will render all the extravagant new campus buildings obsolete: on-line courses. So many of the routine courses that have been taught in the same way for decades: a professor droning away, 50 to 100 (or 500) students faithfully taking notes, (or sleeping, or on their ipads, or absent). On-line education may offer the world’s best lecturer on a subject, instant feedback to the teacher or assistant if material not being absorbed, ease of asking questions, easy review of tough concepts again by students so inclined, plus many other advantages. No parking problems, no frat parties, no sports, graduation in four years (or less). Just pure learning. Upper level small classes and seminars could still go on, but they make up the smaller part of the college experience. The vastly fewer teachers and lower cost of running colleges could be passed on in the form of lower tuition, although only competition between schools and a necessary winnowing out of some will force that in the long run. There will be howls of pain from the tenured elite in the faculty lounges.
