Stephen Pontes [.com]

In the ongoing debates between Obama and McCain issues like foreign policy, tax rebates and the war in Iraq are often referred to as hot topics. But what about the topic most important to me, a young voter? What’s being done about my education?

The problem.

My issue with education has always felt like it started and ended with San Francisco State University. I’m slowly beginning to realize that SFSU is but a symptom of a much larger problem. Speaking with students from other universities, both public and private (ranging from $3,000-$35,000 a year), it seems the feelings are consistent: We’re paying something for a whole lot of nothing.

While society has adopted the message of college educations yielding better job opportunities, incomes and futures; I have to disagree.

My rant.

I’m in my fifth year of college for my four year degree.

Not because I’m lazy, not because I slacked off, and not because I’m not intelligent enough. SFSU is overselling their classroom capacities, and students are paying the price. For some reason, I doubt SFSU is the only school guilty here.

As I mentioned before, SFSU is but a symptom of a larger problem. SFSU’s student fees account for a mere 24% of its operating costs. Without cutting teachers or staff, the only other source of income are donations and state funding. [SFSU operating costs 2007-08]

Students should be protesting, bringing media attention to this issue and making noise…but they’re content to say they want change instead. SFSU has set up a Budget Central website that keeps students in the loop with what’s going on. Most students, however, don’t even know it exists. Furthermore, as the last updated (August 1, 2008 at the time of this post) stamp shows, SFSU isn’t really doing their part to keep it up to date.

What have I done?

Whine, whine, whine you might say. What have I done besides rant on my blog? What action have I taken to better the situation?

I attended numerous IDSA (International Design organization that decided it’d be a good idea to raise awareness of the budget issues) orgranized meetings regarding the budget cuts, and at one, someone brought up the need for a website (before SFSU stepped in to create one). I volunteered my services and within a week CSUbudget.com was launched.

It featured a really cool letter to the Governor generator, Representative information and even a email blaster to get the word out to your friends. The IDSA group promised to push the website out to as many people as they could reach…the site “peaked” with 7 visitors in a day. One was probably me.

How do we fix this?

In light of the recent economic troubles the US is facing, budget cuts on a college campus seem trivial. Why is a few hundred million important when the country needs a $700 billion bailout? Education is paramount to better the economy. Smarter citizens make for better decision makers, more qualified workers and an overall improvement of society. We need more smarter peoples.

I could reiterate that “It’s time for action” spiel, but I know it won’t get anyone to do anything. Here’s what I’ve come to realize:

No one gives a shit. No one will go out of their way to get things done. No one will ever do anything without the motivation of personal gain.

That’s it. Game over. Vote for change, vote for McCain, vote for whoever you want. Take out a loan, default, foreclose your home…the world moves on. Just relax, bend over and take it.