The numbers are in and enrollment has dropped 4.3 percent since last spring, resulting in a $1 million loss in tuition.
This problem is going to take a large toll on students if administrators do not get a grip and find out why students are choosing to go elsewhere.
According President Jesse Rogers, enrollment is the university’s greatest priority.
“Since students pay approximately 40 percent of the cost of our academic program we must increase our enrollment to make up for a nearly $4 million decrease in revenue over the past two years,” Rogers said.
To add insult to injury, the state of Texas as cut $2.3 million per year in higher education budget.
Students are going to stop applying to Midwestern if tuition keeps increasing. Students are going to choose to go to bigger schools like the University of Texas or Baylor.
Last Thursday, Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus addressed the budget for higher education while visiting the university.
His response: “The money has to come from somewhere because education is not free.”
We understand education is not free, but we should not be held responsible to make up for the shortfall.
Students who previously came to MSU because the cost was much less than other universities are being priced out of attending college.
Since 2007, Midwestern has boasted about being the best value in public college and universities according to the Consumers Digest.
This university prides itself on being so cost friendly, but students have taken quite a spanking the last few semesters.
Administrator’s answer to the budget shortfall might be to increase tuition. Yet have poured money into multiple new projects all over the university.
Last week the Artist Lecture Series hosted Discovery Channel reality star Captain Sig Hansen. His presentation was less than impressive and disrespectful to onlookers.
He even found time to drop the notorious “F bomb,” even after faculty asked him not to.
Not only did he swear like a sailor, no pun intended, but indulged in a pre-event smoke outside of the Hardin Hall.
Why are student fees paying for smut?
The administrators standing with him did not seem to mind he was smoking, even though this is a smoke-free campus.
Recently Keith Lamb was promoted to vice president of student affairs and enrollment management and Matthew Park, previously director of student development and orientation, was promoted to associate vice president of Lamb’s department. All this in an effort to find a better solution to the enrollment problem.
You all know the saying, “You have to spend money to make money,” but where is this money for promotions coming from?
If tuition is expected to rise to make up for the lack of students, what approach will Lamb and Park use to entice new students to come to MSU?
Many big universities use a positive athletic following as enrollment incentive yet we cannot capitalize on our successful sports teams.
Last year the football team was number one in the nation according to D2football.com and administratior’s have not pushed that aspect in recruiting.
We are all familiar with the Robin Hood affect, rob from the rich to give to the poor.
Have administrators thought about taking money from somewhere else and beefing up incentives to encourage students to choose our university rather than taking a junior college approach or taking a big school approach.
The university has so many great things to offer its students. If the powers that be at Midwestern better advertised what makes this university the best option for college, low enrollment would be the least of our troubles.
This year MSU has taken a huge leap in the right direction to making this happen with a large social media presence. It will be interesting to see what programs will be put in place to keep Midwestern relevant.
We are excited to see what the Lamb-Park powerhouse has in store for us.