Sweet Sorrow
(In response to Connor Radnovich's Sept. 21 article "Jewish student group's leader steps down after 39 years.")
Kudos to The State Press for running an excellent front-page piece about a man who has meant a lot to me over the past few years. Rabbi Barton Lee has been more than just the executive director of Hillel. He has been a mentor and a counselor. Over the past few semesters, I have taken several classes and independent study under his tutelage, and each time I have come away with new perspectives on Judaism in American life and, indeed, Judaism as the foundation of a faithfully rich tradition and worldview.
I have been honored to consider Rabbi Lee as more than just what his title implies. We have talked about politics, law and philosophy in ways that go beyond the capacities of simply being executive director of Hillel. This is what makes Rabbi Lee a special asset to Arizona State's Jewish community.
I have been privileged to call Barton my teacher but, even more so, honored to call him my friend.
AJ Frost
Undergraduate
Planning for the Worst
For years now, the Arizona Legislature has shown a wanton and reckless disregard for the development of higher education. Slashing at the very heart of the Arizona's economic prosperity with claims of cutting the fat. And yet, they began to cut at the legs that higher education needs to stand on.
The Arizona Board of Regents announced its "Arizona Higher Education Enterprise" plan. Essentially, the universities are being forced to move in a direction of privatization. It is now that we must rally behind what we hold most dear to the public good.
The very idea promotes advancement, growth, development and economic success for the state and establishes the university presidents as CEOs and creates harsh goals for the institutions. Efficiency recommendations call for the elimination of "underperforming" programs, which, in academic circles, means programs that are not pulling in enough outside research dollars.
Most concerning to me, the plan calls for the privatization of professional schools. ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law has been selected as the prototype for this effort. Public institutions provide freedom for exploration in professional pursuit. What ethical dilemmas are created with private goals mixed with learning?
In the line of privatization, all residential life programs are to be outsourced and privatized. The point of a dorm is to provide a student with a low-cost alternative while studying. How is it right when the housing exceeds the tuition? How is it right when it is cheaper to live five miles away than among your peers?
Granted, the plan maintains a commitment to access and "affordability." It sounds great in the short run. But 10 years from now, what will remain of this public good?
As upset as this makes me, I cannot blame the ABOR or the presidents. I blame the Legislature. For months, the recession hit and they did nothing. Their inaction has wounded this state. With the election upon us, I hope and pray we elect individuals that recognize the public good that universities serve.
Chris Gast
ASU Alumnus