CAMPUS

Economy Effects Universities

For many college students not looking to immediately enter the workforce in the next year or two, the current state of the economy has little or no real significance. To graduating seniors, the significance could not be more real as jobs become increasingly scarce and starting salaries become increasingly less competitive. The question of many students and parents entering the realm of higher education, however, is how the matrix of colleges and universities will be effected by the economic downturn. Will the monetary tightening seen across the country prohibit students financially from entering expensive universities such as Boston College?

To the relief of many students, Boston College recently announed that it would be undergoing cutbacks in both projected expansionary projects and current allowances to specific departments. These cutbacks, according to Father Leahy, SJ, will allow the university to maintain its current level of financial aid to students. Considering the current state of the Boston College, this action should be applauded and emulated by other universities. When current facilities and ciriculums present an adaquet enviroment for education, the foremost responsibility of an institution of higher learning should be to make sure that as many students as possible can take advantage of the world of higher education. In the ideal world, monetary concerns would never hamper the dreams of any individual to pursue knowledge and contribute to society. Although this world exists much more concretely in the abstract, Boston College just took a step in the direction of making it a reality. Merry Christmas everyone.