Have we evolved:

So, the next time I see Buster Bronco by the football field do I have to go up and rub his crotch while whispering in his ear how much I appreciate all his hard work? I do love me some anthropomorphized mutant horses afterall! All the talk recently about how Boise State football is the greatest thing to happen to this university is sickening. Football absolutely helps our school … don’t get me wrong. I like football, I like following the season and I like how ESPN notices Boise State sometimes. What I don’t like is people asserting that the reason why Boise State has so many students is because of our football program. I do not like people saying that the Fiesta bowl in-and-of-itself was responsible for bringing in huge amounts of students. Also, it is ridiculous for people to say the reason there are new buildings around campus is directly because of the football program. Many people seem to neglect how other things may entice people to come here. You know, things like getting a good education. Our Business College is accredited by The Association to Advance the Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 15 percent of business schools in the world receive this accreditation. Such a steady and dry reason for why people would want to come here surely couldn’t account for the explosion of students, could it? Probably not, but there also hasn’t exactly been an explosion of students either. According to news.boisestate.edu, the total number of enrolled students in September of 2004 (two years before the fiesta bowl) was 18,346. For September of 2008 (two years after the Fiesta Bowl) the total number of enrolled students at Boise State is 19,667. Wow, that’s so many more people! Thanks, Fiesta Bowl! What has changed in more impactful terms is tuition. In-state tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate in 2004 was $3,250 according to boise.stateuniversity.com. In 2008 in-state tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate is $4,632 according to boardofed.idaho.gov. That’s about a 42.2 percent increase in tuition during four years to support nearly the same size student population. All that extra income should probably help build a few buildings, eh? Rather than pay thanks to Zabransky, let’s pay thanks to the consistent growth in enrollment that’s been steady for the past 13 years. Let’s pay thanks to our professors who distinguish themselves and win awards. While you’re at it, thank yourself for your part in paying for everything. So, have we evolved in terms of university appreciation? Verdict: You decide. Go to arbiteronline.com and voice your opinion in a comment on this article.

BOB BEERS
OPINION EDITOR

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