Editorial
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 4, 1998

Enough already

When it comes to creating a campus community, what students learn outside the classroom is as important as we learn inside.

Campus activities from intramural sports to sketch comedy performances give students an opportunity to work on something other than homework, to exchange ideas in a more personal setting. Activities give students a chance to learn about themselves and others.

Lately community discussion on student retention is everywhere: from the Arizona Board of Regents to the University of Arizona administration and faculty.

At the same time other issues that will affect UA student life are on the table. Privatization is one of these.

As Regents President Rudy Campbell said of the board, "We all believe in privatizing everything we can."

The UA is considering privatizing services including the Motor Pool and Printing and Publishing. But, more immediate to student life, the university is considering privatizing the UA Associated Students Bookstore. After all, 37 percent of college bookstores are privately held. Administrators are quick to say that the jury is still out on the issue. It's hard to say right now whether or not privatizing the bookstore would save the state or the students money.

Julius Parker, associate vice president for business affairs, told the Arizona Daily Wildcat that if privatizing was identified as a money saver, the university would be forced to act accordingly.

The consequences of privatizing might not be, however, in the bottom line. The bookstore provided the Associated Students with $375,000 or 60 percent of its budget this year. ASUA, in turn, budgeted about $195,500 on student clubs, programs and services.

These clubs, programs and services are at the very heart of any holistic plan to increase the 75 percent first-year retention rate and improve the graduation rate. Activities keep students involved on campus and offer them a place to invest themselves in the university.

Facing budget cuts throughout the 1990s, the university has been quick to cut funding to departments like Student Programs. Students Programs, which includes everything from the University Activities Board to the New Traditional Students, has seen its state and student fee funding fall consistently since the 1989-90 school year. The department has attempted to maintain the same level of programming, but longtime community members can tell you there is simply less to do on campus now than 10 years ago.

That decision to cut funding was short-sighted. The decision affected into the very community infrastructure that helps a school keep students.

Let's make sure that doesn't happen again.