After reading President Todd’s most recent update on the state of the university’s budget, I find myself surprised that he seems so overwhelmed by this latest round of appropriation cuts. He and his administration, like so many other individuals and institutions in this country, have found their financial bubble burst. In the last few years this university has been spending, much like other notable institutions in this country, and now the administration seems shocked to find themselves in the same situation as the rest — pants down and out of cash.

While I respect the initiative to expand the scope of this university to include the population beyond its students, it is time for this administration to realize that the economic climate forbids many of those initiatives to become realities. The generous benefits offered to faculty and staff, the acquisition of new property, the rapid expansion of many of our colleges, as well as the expansion of the administration are examples that come to mind immediately. Understanding that we must always move forward, these measures were probably too aggressive and have now come back to hurt us.

As a student, I am vehemently opposed to hikes in tuition. Obviously, I hate to see my classmates and myself pay more out of pocket, but tuition hikes only address the symptoms (not enough cash) of a more serious problem (spending). So my suggestion to Todd as these “difficult times” pass is to stop blaming the governor for this administration’s financial shortcomings, remember that the student body is your primary concern and prepare to face these times like all of the rest of us.

Kevin Floore

Mechanical engineering junior