School Performances and Ethics

Boyish-Tigerlilly · Post by **Boyish-Tigerlilly** » 2005-10-18 06:09pm

Do you think it is ethical for a school (say a community college) to use the money it gets from tuition and tax dollars to pay for non-academic events? For example, at my college, there are always major activities going on. We have SNL comedians, shows, plays, movie showings, psychics, trips etc. However, none of this stuff is paid for by the student commissions via donations; According to the treasurer, it all comes from raising tuition or tax funding.

Do you think that is right? I don't know if it makes a difference if you go to a state/private institution, but it seems like they have very low priorities for spending.

The Guid · Post by **The Guid** » 2005-10-18 06:51pm

If it furthers an education in any way shape or form I have no problem with it at all. What defines furthering education though is up for debate.

Boyish-Tigerlilly · Post by **Boyish-Tigerlilly** » 2005-10-18 07:00pm

I would agree, but these activities have nothing to do with education. The school is basically taking your money and giving it to people so they can go see broadway plays (I forgot to mention that one). It's not for theatre class either. I thought it was, at first.

Zero · Post by **Zero** » 2005-10-18 07:02pm

If you think about it, such things can serve to raise morale, even if they serve no direct educational purpose. This doesn't really seem like a justification, though..

SyntaxVorlon · Post by **SyntaxVorlon** » 2005-10-18 09:29pm

It's a private institution using the money it has to give benefits to its students. You can learn a science or another profession nearly anywhere, good schools will use their money to make living there seem better than living in a one room apartment and going to classes and doing work all day.

Benefits + good academics = School A
Good academics + minimal benefits = School B

Serious Students selecting colleges are going to choose School A over B because it is at once pleasing and a good place to learn.

Besides, at larger institutions tuition doesn't cover near what is required to keep the place running. A state uni student who complains to a teacher about something and uses the idea that they pay the teacher's salary would get laughed at.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2005-10-19 06:08pm

Boyish-Tigerlilly wrote:Do you think it is ethical for a school (say a community college) to use the money it gets from tuition and tax dollars to pay for non-academic events? For example, at my college, there are always major activities going on. We have SNL comedians, shows, plays, movie showings, psychics, trips etc. However, none of this stuff is paid for by the student commissions via donations; According to the treasurer, it all comes from raising tuition or tax funding.

Do you think that is right? I don't know if it makes a difference if you go to a state/private institution, but it seems like they have very low priorities for spending.

College is more than just about academics. They provide a social atmosphere, and that not only attracts good students, it helps keep them sane.

Penn's Graduate School of Education routinely provides us with things like pizza parties, tours of the city, picnics, and (most popular of all) free happy hours at the local bars. Is that directly related to education? Of course not. But they've been lifesavers for us, and they've helped form our cohort into a tight little group.

Boyish-Tigerlilly · Post by **Boyish-Tigerlilly** » 2005-10-19 06:20pm

Ahhh. I guess it's not that bad. I was worried because the school is kinda shitty, but they give everything away in activities. AHhh!

Braedley · Post by **Braedley** » 2005-10-19 11:00pm

I doubt it comes out of your tuition, and any of it that is won't be directly out of your tuition. As an example, I pay $75 in tech and media fees a year, discrete from my tuition. However, a portion of my tuition goes towards the student union. They use this money for both academic and non academic purposes, yet they still have other sources of income. I have no problem with this money going to the student union, despite the fact that they have actually done very little for me personnally.

Post by **fgalkin** » 2005-10-20 02:34am

Boyish-Tigerlilly wrote:I would agree, but these activities have nothing to do with education. The school is basically taking your money and giving it to people so they can go see broadway plays (I forgot to mention that one). It's not for theatre class either. I thought it was, at first.

Are you sure it comes from tuition and not a "student activity fee" of any sort?

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

Boyish-Tigerlilly · Post by **Boyish-Tigerlilly** » 2005-10-20 08:55am

Ahh I am sure comes out of tuition, because I asked the student council advisor. It comes from a "general fee" they say is naturally part of tuition.

Coalition · Post by **Coalition** » 2005-10-20 02:41pm

At my college, people can go to Dragoncon for free (they just have to have a hotel room) due to this fund. However, if you go, you have to write a report about it.

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2005-10-20 08:30pm

Every school has these.. it's important to relax a little in between the mad studying. School sponsored all night keggers are wonderful

Dangermouse · Post by **Dangermouse** » 2005-10-20 11:35pm

Boyish-Tigerlilly wrote:Ahh I am sure comes out of tuition, because I asked the student council advisor. It comes from a "general fee" they say is naturally part of tuition.

Most schools have an activity fee to pay for student programming or upkeep of the student union. Its probably part of your fees, though while technically separate from the tuition, are still required for attendance.

I think it is ethical because it is providing students such has yourself with wonderful opportunities to see the arts for little - to no cost. Your programming sounds pretty exciting; students at some schools are lucky enough to get a local band or a games night, much less SNL comedians and Broadway shows.

View it as an opportunity. When again are you going to have such a low cost chance to see a Broadway production or a comedian, with such easy access? At my school, we get amazing discounts on programming that elsewhere I would have to pay twice-three times as much to attend.

Dangermouse · Post by **Dangermouse** » 2005-10-20 11:36pm

Dangermouse wrote:
Boyish-Tigerlilly wrote:Ahh I am sure comes out of tuition, because I asked the student council advisor. It comes from a "general fee" they say is naturally part of tuition.

Most schools have an activity fee to pay for student programming or upkeep of the student union. Its probably part of your fees, though while technically separate from the tuition, are still required for attendance.

I think it is ethical because it is providing students such has yourself with wonderful opportunities to see the arts for little - to no cost. Your programming sounds pretty exciting; students at some schools are lucky enough to get a local band or a games night, much less SNL comedians and Broadway shows.

View it as an opportunity. When again are you going to have such a low cost chance to see a Broadway production or a comedian, with such easy access? At my school, we get amazing discounts on programming that elsewhere I would have to pay two-three times as much to attend. The programming is there for you.

Boyish-Tigerlilly · Post by **Boyish-Tigerlilly** » 2005-10-20 11:52pm

I wouldn't matter, but I think my school in particular wastes its money. For example, they don't fix the crumbling roof, and the library has almost no acceptable reference books, yet they seem to have hoards of money for everything else. It seems like it is being mismanaged.

I have to go to Rider in order to get books for research, because our library has nothing, haha.

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

School Performances and Ethics

School Performances and Ethics

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