Spring Break
The disappearing scholarships
Lauren Collins
Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: Opinion
Financial crises continue to interfere with student activities and now their education. Aside from the minimal job availability, rising gas prices and an expected increase in university tuitions, the financial crisis is slowly affecting scholarships as well.
I recently applied for the Rivers Scholarship, in hopes of receiving some additional funds for a summer study abroad program. Though I was told that my academic performance would likely position me with the opportunity to receive a respectable amount of financial assistance, I received a letter informing me that the Thomas W. Rivers Scholarship fund is on hold for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Under North Carolina State law, ECU cannot make awards from endowments that are underwater, and the Rivers Scholarship is one of many affected by the current economic crisis.
It is unfortunate that many of the scholarships awarded by ECU and neighboring universities are forced to be put on hold. There are some students who do not necessarily have a financial need for such scholarships, but for the students who depend on scholarships, grants and loans to help further their education, opportunities may not be limited. As we continue to face financial cuts, students may find themselves frustrated when pursuing their future academic desires.
According to the Chancellor's View, we are preparing for base cuts between 3 and 7 percent for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which will essentially affect the entire university. "A 7 percent cut would mean that we would have to reduce staff and programs and services by $20 million." As the economic crisis continues, we can anticipate consolidated support services, outsourcing, reducing administrative positions, and postponing new position hires.
A friend of mine recently expressed her disapproval with the graduation process. Though she is just shy of graduation, her department is not currently having a separate graduation ceremony. She will walk the stage with all the 2009 graduates, but the four years of paid college tuition will not be enough to have her name individually recognized for the hard work within her department. Apparently this is an issue for many of the smaller departments at ECU, and students can only expect that this will be a continuing issue for the university.
As the economic crisis appears as though it will not be changing soon, I fear that the college experience will be affected overall. I would like to think that the university's opportunities to have visiting professors and speakers will not diminish, as the information and lectures are beneficial for students and professors. I also hope that technological advances and new additions to the school will not be minimized, as they often provide students and faculty with opportunities for quick and efficient learning. Above all, I certainly hope that the economic situation will not discourage students from furthering their education.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
I recently applied for the Rivers Scholarship, in hopes of receiving some additional funds for a summer study abroad program. Though I was told that my academic performance would likely position me with the opportunity to receive a respectable amount of financial assistance, I received a letter informing me that the Thomas W. Rivers Scholarship fund is on hold for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Under North Carolina State law, ECU cannot make awards from endowments that are underwater, and the Rivers Scholarship is one of many affected by the current economic crisis.
It is unfortunate that many of the scholarships awarded by ECU and neighboring universities are forced to be put on hold. There are some students who do not necessarily have a financial need for such scholarships, but for the students who depend on scholarships, grants and loans to help further their education, opportunities may not be limited. As we continue to face financial cuts, students may find themselves frustrated when pursuing their future academic desires.
According to the Chancellor's View, we are preparing for base cuts between 3 and 7 percent for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which will essentially affect the entire university. "A 7 percent cut would mean that we would have to reduce staff and programs and services by $20 million." As the economic crisis continues, we can anticipate consolidated support services, outsourcing, reducing administrative positions, and postponing new position hires.
A friend of mine recently expressed her disapproval with the graduation process. Though she is just shy of graduation, her department is not currently having a separate graduation ceremony. She will walk the stage with all the 2009 graduates, but the four years of paid college tuition will not be enough to have her name individually recognized for the hard work within her department. Apparently this is an issue for many of the smaller departments at ECU, and students can only expect that this will be a continuing issue for the university.
As the economic crisis appears as though it will not be changing soon, I fear that the college experience will be affected overall. I would like to think that the university's opportunities to have visiting professors and speakers will not diminish, as the information and lectures are beneficial for students and professors. I also hope that technological advances and new additions to the school will not be minimized, as they often provide students and faculty with opportunities for quick and efficient learning. Above all, I certainly hope that the economic situation will not discourage students from furthering their education.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
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