The Arizona Daily Wildcat puts the issues to the test. Which ones make the grade?
Pass: After a disappointing spring concert, the Wildcat Events Board has redeemed itself by bringing Seth Meyers to perform on campus on April 15. WEB was working with a limited budget, so it’s understandable that it settled for two college DJs, but we expect a little better from our spring concert than a dance party on the UA Mall. While 3Lau and Kap Slap may have been a product of penny-pinching in order to bring in Meyers, if WEB’s new student fee increase passes through the Arizona Board of Regents, hopefully we’ll see more performers like Meyers.
Pass: The James E. Rogers College of Law will see a 10.6 percent decrease in resident tuition and an 8.2 percent decrease in non-resident student tuition next fall. In a time when tuition keeps rising, it’s a relief to see tuition going down, even if it’s for just one college. The nicest part of the decrease is that the school was able to do so by using revenue from non-Juris Doctor programs. By attempting to find alternative ways to fund the program, the law school is showing that it’s trying to provide affordable education without cutting the quality.
Fail: Rutgers head basketball coach Mike Rice was fired last week for abusing players. There was video footage of Rice throwing basketballs at his player’s heads and both physically and verbally abusing them. Since Rice has been fired, athletic director Tim Pernetti resigned and the president, Robert Barchi, is now facing calls for his resignation. The situation was handled poorly. When Barchi was informed of a problem last year, he should have asked to see the videotape. When Rutgers Board of Governors member Mark Hershhorn viewed the video tape in December, he should have done something. Rutgers officials fail for not taking immediate action.
Fail: Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., is allowing concealed weapons in their classrooms under two conditions: student must hold a concealed carry permit and have permission from campus police. This is a very bad idea. Solutions for gun control have ranged from arming teachers to, well, allowing students to carry guns on campus. The actual likelihood that students will need to defend themselves from a shooter is rather small; it’s far more likely that a gun-related accident will happen. But if someone starts shooting on campus, at least there will be people to shoot back.
Pass: The UA’s Student Recreation Center was ranked number 17 in the “25 Most Amazing Student Recreation Centers” by Best College Reviews. This is actually more important than it seems. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found “the taste for academic quality is confined to high-achieving students.” While the UA may compete academically, it certainly is not among the elite colleges in the nation. That makes amenities like having nice dorms, or having the 17th best recreation center important for attracting applicants and students to the university.
— Editorials are determined by the Arizona Daily Wildcat’s editorial board and written by one of its members. They are Kristina Bui, Dan Desrochers, K.C. Libman and Sarah Precup. They can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu or on Twitter via @WildcatOpinions.__
