We Are Not Recession Proof!
Posted on 22. Jun, 2009 by Molly Sumpter.
Everyone knows about the economic conditions we are facing. It seems like each day there is more lousy news than the day before. More rejection letters are going out, higher tuition across the board, less financial aid, and larger class sizes.
Tuition at the University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University and Central Washington University will increase 14 percent over the next two years. UW’s swimming team, Women’s Center and custodial services have all fallen victim to the recession. Funding to UW Libraries was cut by 12 percent, which is expected to result in the closure of six library branches, staff layoffs, the cancelation of more than 1,000 journal subscriptions, and the elimination of summer hours at most libraries.
With many students still on a graduation-high, it is time to look forward. Employers expect to hire 22 percent fewer graduates this year than they did in 2008, according to the National Assn. of Colleges and Employers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for bachelor degree holders under age 27 is the worst since 1983. So it comes as no surprise that on a collegegrad.com job board, 80 percent of grads claimed to have moved back home after graduation.
Ultimately, what it comes down to is that students are graduating with more debt than ever, and cannot find a job to pay it off!
So can colleges cut costs without reducing access or quality of instruction? Is it worth raising costs so the norm remains the same? What should schools cut first and who should decide? What is a graduate to do in this economic setting?
What do you think?
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Education News of the Day
Posted on 22. Jun, 2009 by Bonnie.
Be careful what you wish for: State’s schools get $400 million federal windfall - with strings attached
Granting kids a future: Gates Foundation chooses colleges for new program
Learning life skills earlier: Ready by five is a five-star project
