Published on Monday, October 29, 2007

Taxpayers' money should go to higher education

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This letter is in response to J.B. Stephen’s ill-informed letter regarding former state senator Rauschenberger’s comments.

Had he been at the meeting, Professor Stephen would have understood that Rauschenberger suggested students take 18 to 21 credit hours to make the best of their time at college and, to get the most out of their education.

Students should be able to take more electives and soak up as much knowledge as they can, instead of fulfilling the bare-minimum requirements.

Unfortunately, students are not able to do that because of our failed governor, Rod Blagojevich.

I often talk to local legislators, and I know they work diligently to get higher education funded in this state, but their efforts are consistently squashed by our liberal governor who insists on wasting taxpayers’ money on pet projects, airplane rides and lawsuits, instead of fully funding existing institutions, such as NIU.

In addition, it is ultimately up to the students to determine how they spend their time and money.

Overall, it is actually cheaper to take more credit hours spread over less semesters, since then students only have to pay student fees and room and board for six or seven semesters, instead of 10 or 11.

Andrew Bogda
Junior, geography