Budget cuts across the UW System are resulting in cut backs of
instructors, courses, funds, and increases in class size and tuition.
According to Wisconsin State Journal the 250-million-dollar budget cut plans for 14 UW
campuses including 12 four-year universities, UW Extensions and two-year universities
were released to students, faculty, and the public on April 11, 2016.
The Daily Cardinal reports that the 14 schools affected can see
anywhere from a 9-20% decrease in state funds due to the budget cut plans for
2015-2017. This is adding to the 14-50% decrease in state funding in the past 8
years for some UW schools.
These cuts have had a shuddering effect on current and future
students, their parents, and any faculty in the UW Systems. Peyton Boucher, a
current high school senior, has to keep these budget cuts in mind when thinking
of what college to attend. “I was really looking towards UW Stevens Point, but
they got 7 million dollars cut in state funding which means tuition and costs will go up.”
Peyton’s mother, Alissa Boucher, also has concerns. “I will be
helping Peyton out with his college education, so the cutbacks make me very
nervous that he won’t be getting all the amenities he should while in school.”
A current student, Samantha Beekman transferred schools due to
these cuts. “I had attended UW Stevens Point before transferring to UWGB. They
were losing courses and professors in the education department due to the
campus cuts.”
The UW System statewide budget cuts will have an impact on class
size, teaching, the retention of students, and the reputation of these schools.
These cuts will make current and future students think twice about
the direct effect it will have on the level of education they receive.
Jen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Everything about this was so important and relevant. Also, you wrote it very well. I find the topic in general frustrating as obviously we are both in school trying to receive the best education possible.
Hey Elissa, thanks for the comment. I agree that this topic is definitely relevant and of course, frustrating! Writing about this issue allowed me to learn more and see what is really going on with these budget cuts. It was a hard task to keep my personal opinions out of my writing, that's for sure!
DeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteThis was a really wise choice for a hard news story. You did a REALLY good job presenting a lot of complicated information, and made it very easy to read, so bravo. I also think it's a good choice, a very newsworthy, because of how many people these budget cuts will ultimately affect. Students, faculty, staff, alumni etc. There's a lot at stake, and there is a lot of facets to the story ie. politics, economics, etc.
Great job.
Troy, thanks for the feedback! I'm glad that you enjoyed the story and that you found it as newsworthy as I did. I also found that there were so many different facets to this topic like you had said. That did make writing it a little more difficult because I was trying to just focus on the main points of each facet and group it effects.
DeleteJen-
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your story. You did a great job. I agree with Elissa about the topic being frustrating. This kind of stuff stresses me out. Excellent topic, and again, you did a terrific job presenting it.
I thought you did a great job! The story is relevant to anyone that has to deal with school tuition (students, parents, etc.). I think you have a great format as well. You have a nice lead that opens up the story and everything is easy to read. The only thing I would suggest is that the link to the Wisconsin State Journal dates back to April. This kind of makes that piece of the story not so up-to-date, but I had the same problem finding new information about the my topic. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great topic, and extremely relevant for all current and future students. It is so disheartening because there is such a high emphasis and almost expectation to attend a university after High School but budget cuts such as these make it difficult. As a college student who is paying their own way through school, I am relieved that I only have another year left. I feel terrible for incoming freshman who have to suffer the repercussions of these budget cuts for the next four years.
ReplyDeleteNice choice for a hard news story. This has a lot of impact specifically for a lot of the people reading this for class. Cuts like these are going to affect the future education of many students.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Jen! I think this was a very relevant story especially for college students. I also agree with Troy in that you did a great job of making the original information easier to understand. I also liked that you not only interviewed a college student, but their mom as well. We often forget that this can affect our parents too in certain instances. Great job!
ReplyDeletediana@mail.postmanllc.net
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting.
ReplyDelete