It is within bounds until it obscures the original point.

Just because they're student trustees doesn't mean they have to agree with anyone that's a student. They have their own opinions (and rightfully so).

Robert, I was cheered by Ohio's dramatic increase in student applications and hope that it portends a trend.

I've been less than cheered by Wall Street Journal coverage of soaring student debt loads and the increasing inability of graduates to find employment in their chosen fields - or with salaries with any near-term hope of paying off those loans.

Time could prove me wrong, but I tend to believe that colleges - except for the elites - are headed for a financial bubble bursting. 

Sarcasm-ception.

Fox--I have not idea what you are talking about with 'straw man.'  Your comment would pretty much seem to be in denigration of what the students did, of their means of expression.  If that's not what you meant, then you should be more explicit.

Now, let's take a look at the means they chose.  Students are transient (they'll be gone from campus in some number of years).  So, their letters to the board and the like can be disregarded pretty much with impunity.  Students have little leverage, little political clout.  So, they are left to whatever means would appear to best serve their ends.  A letter is likely to do nothing, to merely draw a bureaucratic response ('we hear you but we're hamstrung financially' in a reply letter...which would be paid attention to by no one).  So, a protest at the Board meeting would appear to be a more effective gesture...while still remaining within generally accepted means.  (That is, no resort to such as blocking traffic or violence or some such.)

So, this comes down, it would appear, to an evaluation of the means chosen to try to achieve an end.  As a business person, Robert, do you think the students' means of expression was a poor choice?

Interesting. So you're saying they would be more successful writing letters (to use one of your suggestions) than confronting them face-to-face? When is the last time a letter-writing campaign did anything?

If these students did their homework they would feel fortunate that the increase was so small. My daughter attends Providence College and their rate increase has been 3.6% every year with incoming freshmen tuition increasing 6%.
The cost of living is increasing more than 1.6% every year, if you include food and energy.





GO BOBCATS

Hi! Out-of-state student here. Honestly, tuition is like getting beat with a rubber hose compared to some in-state VA schools.

However, I realize that some VA schools are ridiculously cheap. The important factor for me is that:

I GET A QUALITY EDUCATION AND I LOVE IT HERE.

Seriously, I wouldn't get mad if it hit 45k. I love it. I may have to deal with loans for a while, but it's worth it.

A valid point if you subscribe to the theory that college is vocational training.  Here's a link to an interesting article in today's paper that explores the mission of college:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/opinion/sunday/bruni-qu... type="_moz" />

Come on Alan, isn't that a bit extreme? Are you really comparing student loans (that don't need to be paid back for a few years and can be deferred a bit) to conscription for a highly controversial and bloody war? Lets calm down a bit, eh?

I'm too lazy (incapable) of writing a smart post on the subject. But I will say that this alumni is PROUD of these students. GO GET 'EM GUYS!

Holy crap, you can't be this naive. You really think the trustees are going to sit down with students? L. Oh. L.

And you keep bringing up this question, assuming the answer is no, and paternalizing.

And if they ever did have a sit down with students it would be with a group that the folks in Cutler hand picked as opposed to the thousands who gathered for a party on Palmer Street yesterday. 

Please move this thread. This is the football discussion board.