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Money
tops forum discussion
Students,
faculty and staff share their views on TCU’s ideal
size, student body demographics and residential life.
By Lacey
Krause
Staff Reporterf
It all comes down to money.
Funding was a crucial aspect of nearly every issue raised
at Wednesday’s town hall meeting. Approximately 65
people, including students, faculty and staff met to discuss
“Home, Sweet Home: Living and Learning at TCU.”
The meeting was the fourth of six open forum meetings
organized by Chancellor Victor Boschini’s Vision
in Action group. Boschini developed the VIA group to design
a three-to-five-year strategic plan for TCU’s future.
The university should consider developing existing programs
before starting new ones, said Andy Fort, a religion professor.
For example, several departments on campus are currently
housed in mobile units.
“We have to grow things that are really first-rate,”
he said. “I don’t see a lot of trailers at other
universities.”
TCU needs to recognize the benefits of all majors and
distribute funds accordingly, said Nadia Lahutsky, a religion
professor. Lahutsky relayed a story about a former student
who felt isolated as a religion major because he felt
the university didn’t consider his major as important
as other majors, such as business.
“The others seem to be invalidated as a subject of
study,” she said. “Somehow our mix has to make
it evident that we value all majors.”
The endowment plays a large role in deciding how large
the student body should be, said Don Mills, vice chancellor
for student affairs. The university should consider the
ratio of endowment dollars per student, he said.
“We need to think about growing our financial base
as well,” Mills said.
Tuition only covers part of the cost of attending TCU,
said Mary Wrench, a junior advertising/public relations
major. The endowment and donations cover remaining costs,
she said.
“If we add more students at this time, we’ll
need more donations to cover the cost,” she said.
Money plays a major role when students decide whether
to live on campus, said Tracy Williams, a senior communication
studies major and Colby Hall resident assistant.
Students see that living off-campus can be cheaper and
would allow them more freedom, she said.
Students who live on campus are more involved, said Joe
Ann May, a financial services employee.
“You do become part of the campus,” she said.
TCU’s mission statement stresses diversity, Mills
said, and living on campus allows students to experience
that diversity.
“They are engaged with a very diverse group of students,”
he said.
Funding is also required to obtain an economically and
racially diverse mix of students at the university. TCU
may need to award more scholarships to encourage diversity,
said Linda Moore, social work professor.
“If we continue what we’re doing with financial
aid, we’ll have the same student body we have now,”
she said.
Blaise Ferrandino, a music professor, said he agreed that
having a mix of students from different backgrounds is
essential to TCU’s mission.
“The reason I want a mix is not to be politically
correct. It’s important those different viewpoints
are brought into the classroom,” he said. “If
the academic mission is kept front and center, I think
we’ll tend to make the right decisions.”
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Crystal
Forester/Staff Photograph
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| Christy
Lehew, the Waits Hall director, and her son, Kyle,
listen to students, faculty and staff express their
concerns about increasing enrollment. |
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