Oh Dear Christian College We Owe Thee
Let me start by saying that I graduated from ACU. Twice. Once in 1992 and again in 1995. And although I wasn't exactly the "Big Man on Campus," I did my share of activities. I took a class or two, climbed the Bible Tower a few times, sang in a few groups (including a garage band), pledged a club, hosted Sing Song and even had an on-campus job in the post office. I say all of this, not because it makes me necessarily qualified to discuss ACU, but to give a little background. My experience at ACU was a positive one and I harbor no bitterness toward the school because of personal experience.
As tuition at ACU approaches the $500/hour mark, it occurs to me that it has become something different than what was originally intended. I believe that the Childer's Classical Institute of about 99 years ago began as an outpost where students could go to get an affordable education in an environment that they could trust to be edifying, uplifting and an hononr to the name of Christ. In all honesty, I believe the "powers that be" at ACU still want this, but have turned their collective backs solidly against the "affordable" part. Consequently, students seeking the rest of that equation are being forced to give up that quest. The end result is that ACU is in danger of becoming an elitist university in conscious trade for the original design of a Christian university.
What are the implications of all this? Well, one implication is actually an opportunity. As students are being forced to look elsewhere for higher education, those who were also seeking Christian fellowship are still in need of that element. In light of this, perhaps the old notion of campus ministries are once again destined to be an understaffed and understated area of ministry. The interesting question is whether or not private Christian universities will offer degree plans or other training in this area. Perhaps not since to do so would be an admission of the need they have themselves helped create. Then again, perhaps market forces would also suggest that any student able to afford ACU would not be content to make the salary of a campus minister and any such program would fold for lack of interest.
In my case, I still love ACU and would love for this institution to continue as a beacon of Christian higher learning. But the rapid trend toward a private university catering primarily to the elite may be difficult to reverse. Just a thought to stir the pot.
As tuition at ACU approaches the $500/hour mark, it occurs to me that it has become something different than what was originally intended. I believe that the Childer's Classical Institute of about 99 years ago began as an outpost where students could go to get an affordable education in an environment that they could trust to be edifying, uplifting and an hononr to the name of Christ. In all honesty, I believe the "powers that be" at ACU still want this, but have turned their collective backs solidly against the "affordable" part. Consequently, students seeking the rest of that equation are being forced to give up that quest. The end result is that ACU is in danger of becoming an elitist university in conscious trade for the original design of a Christian university.
What are the implications of all this? Well, one implication is actually an opportunity. As students are being forced to look elsewhere for higher education, those who were also seeking Christian fellowship are still in need of that element. In light of this, perhaps the old notion of campus ministries are once again destined to be an understaffed and understated area of ministry. The interesting question is whether or not private Christian universities will offer degree plans or other training in this area. Perhaps not since to do so would be an admission of the need they have themselves helped create. Then again, perhaps market forces would also suggest that any student able to afford ACU would not be content to make the salary of a campus minister and any such program would fold for lack of interest.
In my case, I still love ACU and would love for this institution to continue as a beacon of Christian higher learning. But the rapid trend toward a private university catering primarily to the elite may be difficult to reverse. Just a thought to stir the pot.
9 Comments:
Oh my gosh Val... I totally agree with you. Living in Nashville with Vanderbilt (speaking of elite Universities) it does make one think of ACU. Vanderbilt is for people with "old money" or people lucky enough to get full rides -- and it is bearing a frightening resemblance to the current ACU.
If you are from a nice middle class CoC family, it is almost impossible to go to ACU without walking off the hill tens of thousands of dollars in debt. I walked out with much less than most of my friends and will still be paying the equivalent of a mortgage for many years to come.
That begs the question... but what is the answer? I truly think that part of it is the pomp and circumstance. We all want great teachers and facilities, but really, look at all the other things the university spends so much on. And facilities do not need to be amazing architectural wonders to be functional. What is so sad to me is that even with tuition skyrocketing, the teachers get paid so little.
I think ACU needs to really look at the direction they are heading before Alumni force the issue, either through pure outrage, or simply being unable to send their kids to Abilene because they themselves are still paying off their Christian education.
Here are a few thoughts:
Comparing tuition rates among universities within the C of C brotherhood I see: ACU/$475, Harding/$450, OCU/$400, Pepperdine/$900, Lipscomb/$430, Freed-Hardeman/$380. Looking at private universities in TX- Baylor/$700, Rice/$750, SMU/$800, Trinity/$675. Given that list- I'll pick ACU any day for the money. In my humble opinion I think it's a matter of perspective. You get what you pay for. If you want to go to an 'elite' school you will pay through the nose. You want a school where the professors know you by your first name, hometown, major and your interests- you go to a smaller school that is committed to student/teacher relationships. How does one put a price tag on that? As for salaries- some of my teaching friends at ACU say they are within 2-3% of their academic peers at other institutions on the pay scale and getting better every year. Some of their peers left sister institutions to teach at ACU because the salaries and benefits are better in Abilene. They didn't come to ACU to make it rich- they came because they have a passion and commitment for teaching and reaching students.
I'm all for lower tuition and admit it took me several years to pay off my debt- most of which was incurred because of ignorance and laziness on my part. It is certainly possible to attend ACU and graduate without a house payment for school loans...but parents and students need to do their homework. Don't rely on what others tell you- do the research for yourself.
Last, I think the majority of middle income homes have a hard time affording a Christian education for their kids simply because they don't want to deny themselves that new car every other year, the custom dream home, the annual vacation in Colorado or to Disneyworld. It comes down to stewardship, patience, and a little self-control. Show me a middle income family who says they cannot afford to send a kid to ACU and I will show you where their priorities are simply by looking at their checkbook. It can be done and I've seen it time and time again for myself. People today are sold out for the 'goods' this world has to offer. We need to prioritize and pay attention to our future and that of our children. Dave Ramsey- preach on, brother!!
What Anon fails to mention is that these students are not being driven to other private and/or Christian universities but to state schools. This makes some of those statistics mildly interesting but otherwise not very useful.
As to priorities, everything we have is a luxury to someone. Trip to Disney? Yep. A car that works? Sure. Running water? You bet. Judging priorities is a very tricky process. But I think it is not a stretch to say that more and more bricks and mortar to honor major donors in an age wherein technology has made distance learning more viable could be a bit of a luxury- if not a monument to something I may or may not question.
One school I didn't see on anonymous's list was LCU, two of my children graduated from there.
I too graduated from ACU. Depending on the given day I am either proud of, or ashamed of that fact. Of course once you graduate you are never disappointed when going to the mail box. They always have a hand open for a fund raiser. At one point I offered to return my sheepskin in exchange for being removed from their mailing list.
It would appear that ACU is becoming a very elite social club. Those that can afford it, and those who will pay for it the rest of their lives.
I can understand the desire for a nice campus, modern buildings and the like, but at what point is this money better served to educate those who cannot afford attending there. How many outstanding alumni are being deprived of the opportunity to attend.
Is the answer limited enrollment? Possibly, but this would require limited curriculum even though it might put a stop on expanding the physical plant.
How about academic merit? Maybe.
Regardless of how harsh the answers, this is an issue that needs to be addressed.
The interesting implication which Should probably offend me is that my opinion is based soley on my finances or those of someone who must be financially irresponsible. Careful there, Anon#1. I really do appreciate your loyalty to the Purple and White, but don't let it lead you to false assumptions. It is possible to have an opinion based on principal. In fact, I am currently working a deal which will at the very least provide for the education of my kids and potentially for their cousins as well if I use the proceeds as planned and establish an education trust. I know it is tempting to blow it on something like a vacation or new car or something like that, but I like simplicity and all of its trappings (or lack thereof). I suspect that the instant ready recall of the statistics quoted is indicative of someone in the employ of ACU. My comments were not intended to be offensive to any specific person but to raise points about those who may be falling through the cracks. I think we should consider such things even if to do so is difficult. Like I said- Just a thought to stir the pot.
I agree. And to anon #1, the generalizations that you're making about middle income families make me sick. Just because a middle income family can technically afford ACU doesn't mean that it is easy for that family to afford ACU. You make it sound like any family who has their children's education as a priority should be able to whip out the checkbook and pay it in full. Even without living anything close to an extravagant lifestyle by U.S. standards, my parents are still going to be feeling the strains of an ACU education for many years to come. It hate to think of the amount my parents will be paying back over the next 20 years because of my brother and I choosing to attend ACU, even after the student loans that we both have.
And then, what about those parents who aren't willing to help their children pay for college? Most high school graduates can't afford to pay for ACU on their own and simply don't know how to go about getting the assistance they need to go to ACU. Not many 18 year-olds know how to handle financing a college education.
Like Val, I love ACU dearly. The 4.5 years I spent there were some of the best of my life thus far. However, I think the university does need to take a closer look at its finances. Just like that family who isn't willing to give up their new car overy other year, their custom dreamhome, and their annual trips to Disneyworld or Colorado, perhaps ACU could stand to prioritize as well.
Just some thoughts, probably not too popular, and possibly perceived as 'anti-ACU' (though not intended as such):
1. Is there anything wrong with students working to help their parents pay of their school loan after they have graduated? Or even working while taking courses? I was on the 8-year degree plan my first go-around at ACU, during the days it wasn't popular to work and attend ACU. There was a definite 'class distinction' between the haves and have-nots, and that was over 20 years ago, so ACU was already in the 'elitist' bracket. It hasn't changed much in that respect since.
I think it's great that parents can and should help pay for some of the higher education, but let's face it. Some kids need to grow up, and having their parents spoon-feed them every step of the way falls somewhat into the 'enabling' category.
2. Things might be better for everyone if ACU did not demand that students stay in the dorms and buy the meal-plans for the first two years. That should be an option, because it can be a real drain on the bank statement. Dorm life isn't the greatest for everyone, and can be more distracting to study-time than taking a job. And the University does not like to spend the maintenance costs its takes to daily operate and keep kids healthy. (Are students still getting bitten by fire ants in their beds at night?)
But I guess some parents want to pay exorbitant prices for babysitters for young adults by sending their kids to a 'Nanny State'. There are plenty of privately owned slums around the campus that teach great survival skills for learning how to cope after graduation. Truly character building!
If the kids 'can't handle the stress' of academia and real-life work experiences, then maybe that's an indicator they're not mature enough. Let them take a gap year to grow up first and find out what the real world is like before they waste their parents' hard-saved and earned money.
3. Sure, teachers do it for the 'passion and commitment for teaching and reaching students'. Yes, that's the reason most people choose that profession, or they would not be teachers. Anytime I hear someone use that old adage, it makes me wonder how long they themselves have taught in the classroom (and I'm not talking Sunday School!), and have lived on that single income. University Profs are still paying on loans, because they have to have their Masters and Doctorates, and those degrees do not add that much more to their salaries.
Teachers still have other bills to pay, children to raise and eventually send to college, etc. They are continually learning, and working long into the night, they are so dedicated. But the teachers at ACU are still not paid as much as they should be.
4. Val's question about Campus ministries is great and bears serious thought. For those who decide to go to a good state uni, and become active with a local church or campus ministry, the opportunities are tremendous. And spiritual growth does not stop. God does not abandon those attending the state universities, nor view them as second-class citizens.
If a child decides by age 18 that they do not want to go to church, it's a bit late to force them into one. Going to a Christian uni is not a guarantee that they will discover a heart for God. It might help, but then I've seen students at state schools discover God also.
Val, you're on to something! Please don't drop the dialogue.
It is so immature to leave feedback as "anonymous"-- I mean come on, own up to your statements!! How absurd. Immature...
I actually like anonymous feedback. That's where conversation gets interesting.
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