2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial
Taking a Stand
Issue date: 2/17/05 Section: Opinions
Taking a stand
The Middlebury College faculty should be commended for taking a stand on the controversial issue of whether or not to allow groups that openly discriminate to recruit on campus, in spite of the potential cut in funding. In their resounding 62-28-4 vote to prevent groups that do not sign the College's nondiscrimination agreement from recruiting on campus, the faculty has demonstrated that in their eyes, moral considerations outweigh financial ones and that they are prepared to sacrifice for their ideals.
The College has made leaps and bounds in recent years to promote diversity. The conversion of Carr Hall into the PALANA center and the organization of "Deliberative Dialogues" stand out as prominent examples, along with the increased strength of the GLBTQ community on campus and the open response to address issues pertaining to race, gender and sexual orientation. The faculty's ability to openly take a stand on such topics just reaffirms what any student who has ever worked closely with a Middlebury faculty member knows - they truly can be considered role models who lead by example.
Hard times for pocketbooks...
From the outset, it must be made clear that the six percent rise in prices on textbooks sold at the College Store was not of the College's design - it was a direct result of a new state tax statute.
Unfortunately, despite the fact that the College has no choice to comply with the tax, this increase still means that the cost of a Middlebury education continues to rise significantly in many areas, and is becoming more of a stretch for many potential Panthers.
The Comprehensive Fee Committee presented a proposal to the Board of Trustees recommending a five percent increase in the comprehensive fee for the next school year. If this proposal is accepted, it means that one year at Middlebury College will cost $42,420. Now, the Board has yet to come to a decision as to what the final figure will be, but for example's sake, let's say this is the figure for next year. To the comprehensive fee of $42,420, add the cost of one semester's books, say $250. If a student has to buy $250 worth of textbooks both semesters - ignoring Winter Term for the purposes of this example - one year at Middlebury will cost that student $42,950 including the new book tax. Almost $3,000 more than what one year at Middlebury costs now. Also, don't forget the cost of many P.E. classes, any dorm damage fines and the cost of attending concerts and shows offered by various College departments. No doubt there are additional costs beyond those illustrated here.
The Middlebury College faculty should be commended for taking a stand on the controversial issue of whether or not to allow groups that openly discriminate to recruit on campus, in spite of the potential cut in funding. In their resounding 62-28-4 vote to prevent groups that do not sign the College's nondiscrimination agreement from recruiting on campus, the faculty has demonstrated that in their eyes, moral considerations outweigh financial ones and that they are prepared to sacrifice for their ideals.
The College has made leaps and bounds in recent years to promote diversity. The conversion of Carr Hall into the PALANA center and the organization of "Deliberative Dialogues" stand out as prominent examples, along with the increased strength of the GLBTQ community on campus and the open response to address issues pertaining to race, gender and sexual orientation. The faculty's ability to openly take a stand on such topics just reaffirms what any student who has ever worked closely with a Middlebury faculty member knows - they truly can be considered role models who lead by example.
Hard times for pocketbooks...
From the outset, it must be made clear that the six percent rise in prices on textbooks sold at the College Store was not of the College's design - it was a direct result of a new state tax statute.
Unfortunately, despite the fact that the College has no choice to comply with the tax, this increase still means that the cost of a Middlebury education continues to rise significantly in many areas, and is becoming more of a stretch for many potential Panthers.
The Comprehensive Fee Committee presented a proposal to the Board of Trustees recommending a five percent increase in the comprehensive fee for the next school year. If this proposal is accepted, it means that one year at Middlebury College will cost $42,420. Now, the Board has yet to come to a decision as to what the final figure will be, but for example's sake, let's say this is the figure for next year. To the comprehensive fee of $42,420, add the cost of one semester's books, say $250. If a student has to buy $250 worth of textbooks both semesters - ignoring Winter Term for the purposes of this example - one year at Middlebury will cost that student $42,950 including the new book tax. Almost $3,000 more than what one year at Middlebury costs now. Also, don't forget the cost of many P.E. classes, any dorm damage fines and the cost of attending concerts and shows offered by various College departments. No doubt there are additional costs beyond those illustrated here.