HazelFrederick t1_j8uppd1 wrote on February 17, 2023 at 2:01 AM

Thank you.

What people need to realize is that even if enrollment hadn’t declined, fixed costs have shot up. There isn’t too much you can do about either reality except A) pay for the difference, B) hope and pray trends reverse or C) not have public higher education.

Even after amortizing across a graduate’s entire adult life and accounting for inflation, the return on investment for every tax dollar spent on public ed education is paid back severalfold thanks to higher tax receipts, better health outcomes and lower crime. We need to fund higher ed, fully and equitably, if we’re to maintain our quality of life.

CoarsePage t1_j8uxblo wrote on February 17, 2023 at 3:00 AM

Look at long term trends in populating growth, the number of traditional college age people isn't rising.

JCCR90 t1_j8wdp3h wrote on February 17, 2023 at 12:49 PM

Thats why there's talon of consolidation in the regional schools, fewer and fewer college freshman in the horizon.

LordConnecticut t1_j8wjuq9 wrote on February 17, 2023 at 1:42 PM

Fixed cost have not gone up for any reason other then mismanagement.

Tuition has increased by 30 percent in ten years. Fixed costs have not grown that much so where has that money gone?

STODracula t1_j8wp198 wrote on February 17, 2023 at 2:21 PM

Looks at $100 million student rec building from 2019 and $250 million new housing breaking ground now, and knows fully neither are "fixed costs". Well, the rec building is now a fixed cost. Paying for the gym equipment maintenance, the pools, personnel, etc. for that building is now clearly a fixed cost.