I have one question to the administration, Student Government and anyone in favor of the 25 percent hike in fees: Are you crazy? I mean are you that out of touch with reality that you would endorse such an irresponsible hike in one sitting? These tough economic times call for every American, Floridian and UF student to cut back, tighten their belts and use common sense when it comes tuition increases. I know this is a new concept for many in the upper echelon of the university, but it’s called fiscal responsibility. We should be cutting back and limiting non-educational services, not expanding them at the costly expense of Joe and Jane Student. People could argue that progress comes at a cost. I push back by saying that there is nothing wrong with delayed, systematic progress. University officials need to stop, think and then spend instead of this reckless attitude that seems to get worse with every passing school year.
The most disturbing fee proposed is the one that would require undergraduates to pay 40 percent of graduate students’ health care. I had to read that part of the Alligator article twice to make sure I wasn’t seeing things that weren’t there. Our fearless leader Machen gives no public explanation as to why he feels this is appropriate. News flash, President Machen: It’s not appropriate. Even as a potential graduate student I feel that this fee is inappropriate and wrong on so many levels. It should not be passed. I have to wonder if Machen reads the things he approves before they become public because they make no sense. Either offer health care to all students who pay for it or don’t, but do not make undergraduates pay for a portion of graduate students’ health care.
I am all for making our university the absolute best, but I am not for doing so while breaking the financial backs of our students and their families, or putting college out of reach for your average middle-class family.
