2008 Woodie Awards
When should student fees be increased?
Graduate Student Research & Scholarship Committee
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: Opinion
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Student fees should be increased when it benefits every student. What would benefit every student at ISU? The answer is making ISU a more prestigious research institution. Unlike specific projects such as Reed Gym, science labs, or an athletic complex, which benefit select students, every student attending ISU will benefit from increased research opportunities for students. ISU currently supports student research through two internal grants programs - Graduate Student Research and Scholarship Committee (GSRSG) and the Undergraduate Research Committee (UgRC). This year the GSRC had $12,500 per semester and the UgRC had $10,500 per semester to disburse. This semester (Spring 2007) requested grant funds for graduate student research projects amounted to $22,698. Proposed undergraduate student research projects amount to $54,170 this year. Clearly, there is not enough money to provide students with research opportunities.
Whether or not you take advantage of these research grants you do benefit from an increase in these grant funds. Making more funds available for research shows that there is an emphasis on research at ISU, which is a goal of the new administration. As research increases, both in quantity and quality of projects, ISU will become a higher tier research university. Graduating from a higher tier research institution will give each of us a competitive advantage. Students need to take control of their own destiny and create their own opportunities. Earmarking fees for student research will do just that.
With a small increase of $10 a semester, student research dollars would exceed $100,000 per semester. In this case, the fees will be earmarked for student research grants. This protects our money from other budgetary concerns within the university.
There are 7 fundamental reasons for an earmark of student fees for student research.
1- Graduation requirements. Many degrees require research projects for graduation. The cost of research shouldn't hinder student graduation.
Whether or not you take advantage of these research grants you do benefit from an increase in these grant funds. Making more funds available for research shows that there is an emphasis on research at ISU, which is a goal of the new administration. As research increases, both in quantity and quality of projects, ISU will become a higher tier research university. Graduating from a higher tier research institution will give each of us a competitive advantage. Students need to take control of their own destiny and create their own opportunities. Earmarking fees for student research will do just that.
With a small increase of $10 a semester, student research dollars would exceed $100,000 per semester. In this case, the fees will be earmarked for student research grants. This protects our money from other budgetary concerns within the university.
There are 7 fundamental reasons for an earmark of student fees for student research.
1- Graduation requirements. Many degrees require research projects for graduation. The cost of research shouldn't hinder student graduation.
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