University ups and downs

studentphil

melancholly wrote:

let's cut everything that 'wastes' money then.... providing handouts (photocopying), maintaining websites with information on (pay IT staff), computers for use of students (a lot have their own), prospectuses, looking after the grounds (gardeners), security, cleaners, acconutants, secretaries, subsidised food in canteens, student union buildings (rent out to private sector), subsided student housing, parking attendants, receptionists, archives and people to look after them, libraries, science labs, engineering equipment, bodies for medical students to practice anatomy, careers advisors, maintenance engineers for day to day problems, help desk staff, estates managers, student services buildings and advisors, counselling services, the chapalincy, sports facilities, sports instructors, invidgilators for exams, external examiners, etc etc etc.


a university is not about a few lecturers and some rooms. it runs all year round without 3 month summer holidays. you have a very naive view about what it costs to run a university and the amount of staff required for you do to your degree....... open your eyes a little - all the opportunities you get at university are amazing...... and most of the money the uni spends is not on research so people need external funding sources - if the university had to pay for all research it would not be finanically viable.

There is no need to be rude! I am completely aware that university is far more than teachers and research. I never said that all in your list was a waste of time. I was just pointing to one thing that could be seen as wasteful.

I am rather offended by that line "you have a very naive view about what it costs to run a university " I am not stupid thank you!

melancholly

the idea that stopping giving you sandwiches in your first week at uni to pay for more research is so incredibly naive that i felt my comments were justified. you don't really know much about the university finance system (how much money comes from fees, how much from the government, how much from grants, how much from private enterprise) and how different things are funded, but still feel like you can tell them how to improve it! that, in my opinion, is rude!

i mean seriously, go do work and stop picking faults with very single aspect of university. americans pay something close to the cost of their education - $30,000 a year minimum if you go out of state - you're getting good value for your money over here.

i've tried desperately to be as positive and helpful to your posts, but all you seem to want to do is complain......... with that kind of attitude you could get the best degree result in the world, but won't get much further with it.

studentphil

melancholly wrote:

the idea that stopping giving you sandwiches in your first week at uni to pay for more research is so incredibly naive that i felt my comments were justified. you don't really know much about the university finance system (how much money comes from fees, how much from the government, how much from grants, how much from private enterprise) and how different things are funded, but still feel like you can tell them how to improve it! that, in my opinion, is rude!

i mean seriously, go do work and stop picking faults with very single aspect of university. americans pay something close to the cost of their education - $30,000 a year minimum if you go out of state - you're getting good value for your money over here.

i've tried desperately to be as positive and helpful to your posts, but all you seem to want to do is complain......... with that kind of attitude you could get the best degree result in the world, but won't get much further with it.

Okay,but you miss the point of what I am saying!

There are probably many examples of waste in HE, like all big firms, and if you cleaned them up then it might well give you a bit more to play with.
I am not complaining, I do know in general terms about how finance works in HE, just saying that MAYBE some waste does exist and if it was removed it might make a few, only a few as you say, quid free to spend on more pressing issues.

Do you see what I am saying?

melancholly

tbh, at 11.15pm, all i can see is someone wasting time on forums when they would be far better to go and sleep or do some work..... it sounds harsh, but if this was something you felt particularly strongly about you would have contacted your student rep/head of department/finance office and spoken to them. but you don't like 'doing' things, you like talking about them on here. i don't really know what to say on any of your threads any more, it's all going over old or pointless ground.......... so probably best if i just don't reply any more!

studentphil

melancholly wrote:

tbh, at 11.15pm, all i can see is someone wasting time on forums when they would be far better to go and sleep or do some work..... it sounds harsh, but if this was something you felt particularly strongly about you would have contacted your student rep/head of department/finance office and spoken to them. but you don't like 'doing' things, you like talking about them on here. i don't really know what to say on any of your threads any more, it's all going over old or pointless ground.......... so probably best if i just don't reply any more!

In fact over the years I have played hell with many people at uni about things that dont work well, so that is not really justified to say I do nothing as I do more than many. I am not wasting my time as I am allowed to relax a bit for I go to bed surely.

lewt

do students still smoke copeuss ammounts of weed?

studentphil

lewt wrote:

do students still smoke copeuss ammounts of weed?

I am sure some do