University betrays mission by ending major programs
(Last updated: 11/05/09 7:22pm)As a student of the Department of Geological Sciences who is in the graduate school application process, I am appalled by the proposed closure of my department by MSU Provost Kim Wilcox.
For four years, the Department of Geological Sciences has given me an excellent education in the environmental and geological sciences. For four years it has amazed me with its outstanding, internationally published, intelligent and compassionate professors. For four years they have taken the time to teach me inside and outside the classroom, and, because of a few of them, I will be going to present my own research at the American Geophysical Union meeting in December.
We all know MSU needs to change to survive financially, and Wilcox is to be commended for his effort to ensure this. I acknowledge that he has proposed major cuts to many, many departments, but I only see two departments recommended for complete closure on his list.
I’d like to ask Mr. Wilcox, is this financial burden not to be shared? Must we cut an excellent department that promotes research in geochemistry, geocognition, geophysics and environmental science?
How am I supposed to look at my potential graduate school advisers and tell them that I was educated in a program that has been killed by my university, and not expect them to wonder if I was given a poor education?
Although I personally can assure them that this is not the case, I still hope that the MSU Board of Trustees confirms this by not cutting the department. I implore the Board of Trustees: Remember what this university is based on!
It is not based on how many students cheer when the football team does well. It is not based on the next contract with Nike. It is not based on how many students you can enroll by building a flashier cafeteria.
These might be nice things, but this land grant university exists to provide an excellent education to any student willing and able to take advantage of it. The Department of Geological Sciences does this.
I hope the trustees have the wisdom to say yes to the continued integrity of MSU as more than a school that kids go to for parties.
Tim Matthews
environmental-geological sciences senior
Originally Published: 11/05/09 7:22pm
mvt
11/06/09 11:58amAnswering your questions:
….is this burden not to be shared?
It is being shared. It is a campus-wide assessment and difficult choices have to be made. Nibbling a little from everywhere is not the answer long-term.
Must we cut geo* and environmental science?
...Apparently, yes. Every academic unit is bringing forward their own assessments based on many factors.
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cut the crap
11/06/09 7:57pmFace it. Getting rid of geology makes no sense at all. This is a field with great job prospects for graduates, and the study of the Earth is integral for all students. With its focus on a more sustainable world, Natural Sciences is the absolute last thing this university should be cutting. MSU should start paying attention to the economic climate of the region and start by cutting back on programs where graduates are not finding jobs.
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Jack
11/08/09 12:25amRemember, these aren’t decisions made by the Board of Trustees – they’re made by the Deans of the respective Colleges. If you want Geological Sciences, or any other program for that matter, talk to the administration for that unit! The Board just gets to see the full presentation afterwards.
grad schools dont care
11/08/09 7:41amA grad school will not care that the program is ending on your application. If you have a advisor, that means you have been accepted. If you are accepted, who gives a crap what they think.