This is how Clarkson’s field off Clarkson Avenue looked as the turf was being laid recently -- until the water table was found to be higher than anticipated. So the turf was removed so another layer of gravel could be added to keep the turf from being damaged. Clarkson University in Potsdam is building an artificial turf field, a move that should make the institution more attractive to potential students, especially athletes.
It’s the fourth artificial turf field in Canton and Potsdam. St. Lawrence University and SUNY Potsdam have had theirs for several years and Potsdam High School’s opened this fall.
But we have to wonder: With many graduating college students burdened with student loans totaling tens of thousands of dollars, are such projects really beneficial for students?
It’s not unheard of for college graduates, unable to land the type of job they hoped for, to be chained to student loan payments for ten to 20 years while working at jobs that pay less than they were hoping for.
Don’t get us wrong – we’re all for interscholastic sports and the benefits they provide to students and schools.
But colleges and universities are continuing to foster the “buy now, pay later” mentality that led to the economic meltdown the nation is experiencing today.
At a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more than $1 million, foregoing construction of an artificial turf field could translate into a real reduction in the cost of tuition. And college tuition nationwide has been exceeding the inflation rate for years.
Imagine how much less tuition would cost at an institution that decided against investing in well-equipped athletic and physical education facilities, townhouses for juniors and seniors, meticulously maintained landscapes and construction of new buildings.
Unfortunately, many families decide which college to attend based on its amenities and whether it has the latest facilities. And the four colleges in Potsdam and Canton really have no choice but to “keep up with the Joneses” if they want to continue to attract the number and quality of students necessary to keep the institutions vibrant.
But as the nation continues to experience the effects of a decades-long credit-induced buying binge, perhaps its time for colleges and universities to reconsider what role they can play in truly serving society and students.
Is it morally right to lure impressionable 17-year-olds with fancy buildings, the latest facilities and other expensive perks?
Especially since many students have little comprehension of how college loan payments may limit their freedom and perhaps burden them for many years after gradation.
11 comments:
I raised this same argument with the then-President of SUNY Potsdam at the time they announced the installation of their turf field. The excuse that was given was that there was specifically designated construction funds available for the field. It was not money that could be used elsewhere. Goes to show, having a strong lobby (ala construction contractors) will beat out petty concerns of relatively poor and under-organized students and taxpayers any day of the week.
And, it would be neat to have someone ask Potsdam State how many students they've attracted with their shiny new turf. Unfortunately, the teams that play on it continue to be the laughingstock of SUNYAC.
The economy as it is, and will be for a while, means fewer students will be able to afford going to college full time after high School graduation. There will be more competition between colleges to attract those students. If amenities such as nice buildings and artificial fields attract students to north Country colleges, then they pay for themselves.
The choice is simple. Invest in the local colleges , or watch them lose students. The effect on the local economy would be greatly affected with the downsizing of the local colleges.
You do not meet the future if you live in the past.......Keep up the the " Jones'" or perish.
Many faculty and others also wish that universities did not have to invest in the many extra-curricular activities needed to stay competetive. I myself wish local colleges could just spend their money on better libraries and more student scholarships. However there is added community benefits to these capital improvement projects.
1. They provide much needed construction employment to the North Country economy
2. Community members can often benefit from things like new indoor pools, workout facilities and other recreational activities.
3. By making these facilities more attractive and "state of the art" local colleges can also host more presigious events, brining visitors and their dollars to the Canton/Potsdam area
I've often wondered what the base price of a good education would be. Why can't students be offered a no frills education of they choose. It's no different than buying a car-you don't need the heated leather seats and moon roof to get where you are going.
It's not buy now, pay later. When you spend other people's money, the sky is the limit. Need more, charge more.
In regard to S.L.U. the $ for the artificial turf field was donated by an alum of the university. Sweeping generalizations and grouping all local colleges and universities is not the most accurate approach.
As a student, I did not even consider a university based upon the athletic facilities. I came to Potsdam based upon family experience and the potential for job placement after graduation. Once here, the efforts required to meet academic standards were large enough to prevent regular use of the available athletic facilities.
Now, as an employee of the university I see the darker side to how the university actually struggles to meet day-to-day operational requirements. Many students fall short of their potential because they are dependant upon resources that are poorly managed or obsolete. The lack of appropriate funding for basic educational resources is hard to explain when the students see such large projects started around them.
I agree that we should invest in the local colleges. How is the return on that investment measured? I suggest that we 'Defy Convention' and not try to keep up with the Jones'. Why not surpass the others through responsible management of the existing resources. The benefits of reducing waste, regardless of how you define it, are easy to find.
Think of the long-term benefits, not to mention the respect we would earn from the students and the community, if we could just practice what we teach.
A couple of notes:
1) You can choose a "No Frills" education. Go online and choose an internet based accredited college education.
2) It was questioned if the University needed all of the fancy landscaping and Townhouse Apartments for Jrs & Srs? If you want to draw talented students from nice areas of the country they often times come from communities that have an upscale look and feel. The Townhouse aprtments by the way are a profit center to the University when otherwise these upper calssment just move off campus.
Why would any students choose a school that looks run down w dorms that look like Housing Projects. Image bolsters confidende in the faculty, students and job recruiters.
FINALLY back to the original question, in the HARSH climate of Northern NY the Artificial turf fields likely have equal or lower maintenance costs over the life of the turf.
Why does it seem in Northern NY everytime someone puts something in "state of the art", the prevailing attitude is, "we don't need things that nice, it's frivilous". It all comes back around to the fear of development in the North Country!
"Fear of development in the North Country?"
I couldn't agree more, but please defend development of business and industry with the same fervor. This type of development at the colleges will attract students who will ultimately have to leave the area after graduation because we have allowed the wack jobs to hinder any potential business development. No business means no jobs. You can understand that much, can't you?
I have supported the development of business and industry in the past, with even more passion. This is just another example another example of the fear of development. You said it, DEVELOP INDUSTRY, these students stay to work.
But in regards to this topic, these students spend a lot of money in their 4 to 5 year stint in town. I imagine now, they are even spending at Walmart! :)
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