OPINION & EDITORIAL
Gifted alumni
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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- A security fee-for-all (December 11, 2007)
- Farewell, Chancellor (December 10, 2007)
- $$FC (December 6, 2007)
- In a bind (December 5, 2007)
- Entitlement Town (December 4, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Editorial: Millions for Donations, Not One Cent for Tribute (February 14, 2006)
- Liberal arts merit alumni attention (October 29, 2007)
- Material world of gifts (November 30, 2004)
- McCallum: Completely out of control (January 25, 2002)
- 'Tis the season to cheat consumers? (November 26, 2007)
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Monday, September 27, 2004
Two weeks ago the University of Wisconsin received yet another sizable monetary gift for one of many continuing projects. This time around the donation was given to the School of Human Ecology to remodel the department’s main historic building. The $8 million gift will go toward the $40 million project — of which $22 million will be requested from the state.
Why remodel, why rebuild and why accept donations that will only require even more money from the state in the end? The university is losing professors and students every year due to fiscal difficulties. Soon enough this brand new building won’t have professors to fill it.
Donors are in no way at fault here. We as students warmly accept and thank distinguished alumni for their care for the university that we all continue to place our pride and dollars into.
We recognize that alumni are only trying to assist — however, UW isn’t realizing where we need this aid. We need this help in the areas of classes, professors and students. UW needs to retain strong professors, recruit strong teaching assistants, offer a wide variety of courses and attract students from all over the world. This should be a greater worry for UW rather than seeking out $17 million more in private donations for the Human Ecology building in addition to the state-borrowed funds.
Students must continue to come to UW for the scholastic environment, not the renovated buildings.
