2008 Election

One thing I haven’t thought about until now is the upcoming 2008 election and higher education. I have lightly listened to the debates and thought about who I would possibly vote for, but never on the basis of higher education. The only progress I made was sticking to the democrats and listening to their stances. However, now that I think about this it is ironic, since higher education is currently all I eat, breathe, and sleep.

After doing a little research it seems as though college students appear to be unanimously in favor of Barack Obama. This was found out by surveys that were conducted earlier this month by researchers at Quinnipiac University.They found that Democratic voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania more likely to favor Obama over Clinton if they have a college degree. So I had to ask why…

What I found was that the candidates have been appearing before large college campus audiences, and repeatedly telling them of their plans to help boost student financial aid. Also, Obama has proposed an annual tax credit worth $4,000 to cover the costs of tuition and fees. Thus upping Clinton’s suggested figure of $3,500. However, her campaign advisors complain that Obama has been stealing their ideas.

Also, Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea, has said to be bidding the price of campus support even higher. An appearance at the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, showed that Chelsea Clinton had reportedly told students that her mother planned to “double” the value of the Pell Grant, which is the main federal subsidy for low-income students. The maximum Pell Grant is currently $4,731. However, Clinton’s own web site speaks only of a plan to increase its value, without making a specific commitment on size.

I feel like through all these debate issues both candidates seem just to be trying to “up” each other. Overall, Barack seems to be winning over the college crowds. Personally, I feel these two candidates generally seem to have the same thoughts. However, no one will know if they are telling the truth until one takes office and holds true to their word.

Sarkis U

If I were to create a university from the ground up it would be a wonderful place to learn. Let me start off with the basics, it would be a relatively small liberal arts school (small class size with excellent professors), with a beautiful clean atmosphere. My university would not discriminate on any level when students applied to it. Also, like Chatham it would be a SAT optional school, where ones whole portfolio from high school would be taken into account in order to be accepted. It would be a peaceful environment in which students could coexist in.

A few key things would help in achieving my vision. The first would be dinning services that did not shut down until 3 am. Also, there would be many options of food from different ethnic backgrounds offered. Structurally, there would be two main academic buildings, a library, a gymnasium/fitness center (with an outdoor pool), three cafeterias, a post office/bookstore, a ½ Starbucks & ½ burgers bagel shop, heated side walks in the winter, a pond, tons of trees, many (hidden parking lots possibly one large yet tasteful looking parking garage), and last but not least wide roads.

Each building would be painted in soothing colors with a modern Victorian architecture. On the inside of the buildings the walls would be painted bold and vibrant colors. Also, the school colors would be the spectrum of the rainbow. There would be no smoking in or near the campus buildings. Since my campus would be completely flat, it would not be hard for one to walk away from a building to smoke.