I wanted to comment on the new fees and on the Alligator’s commentary on them. First, let’s look at the mental health program fee the Alligator failed to comment on: “But until evaluations of UF’s mental health care finish, the money is given to SG.” What?! The Alligator accepts this?! “We want to use this money for mental health later, but for now, let’s go ahead and collect the money and throw it at SG. It’ll be fun!”
If the administration wants a fee to support a mental health program that doesn’t yet exist, then it should either delay the fee until the program exists or save the money that is collected from the fee now to support the mental health program later. Just giving the money to SG doesn’t make sense.
Now let’s talk about undergrads supporting graduate health care. Actually, despite being a former graduate assistant and GAU member, I agree with Ashton Charles and other undergraduates that the undergrads shouldn’t have to pay for grad students’ health care. On the other hand, I think the 60-cent per credit hour fee that will keep grad students’ overall fees down is a great idea — undergrads won’t feel that too much, and it will lift a substantial weight from grad students’ shoulders.
I also want to correct some misconceptions of the editorial board. You assert that potential graduate students choose UF because it will further their careers and not because of financial concerns during grad school. This is not true. The funding you get in grad school is a huge determinant your school decision. If a highly qualified graduate student is being courted by UF and another school that is offering a similar salary, the free health care here could convince that student to attend UF. Did you ask any grad students why they chose UF before writing?
Another misconception: the purpose of free health care is not to lure in more grad students, but rather to increase the quality of students recruited. The administration’s argument is not that supporting health care this way will lead to more sections being offered. Rather, it will lead to the sections that are already offered being taught by higher quality teachers. I think that this is a serious assumption on the administration’s part. Being a good researcher does not mean you’re a good teacher. I justwant the Alligator to understand the position it’s arguing against.
