Well, I seem to be woolgathering, so here goes...

So to define woolgathering before I get started - (from dictionary.com) Woolgathering is "indulgence in idle fancies and in daydreaming; absentmindedness"

My computer science class centers around mostly global and environmental problems, and I have to admit that prior to the class, I had somewhat mixed views on the environmental issues facing the world today... I was very skeptical of global warming as a valid hypothesis, and denounced most of what the proponents of the theory argued.

However, after taking a really good, hard look at the facts, I realized some things that I failed to notice previously. I won't go into details here, because that would get exceedingly boring exceedingly quickly... Suffice to say that I'm not nearly as skeptical as I was previously about anthropogenic causes of global warming.

Another thing that came up in the course was the professor's opinion, which he constantly apologized for sharing... I wish that he, like so many others in the country (and the world, for that matter) would stop apologizing for their own opinions, like they're some sort of horrible thing to share with a group. This particular fellow may not think so, but most of the people in the class are genuinely interested in what he has to say.

I also wish that people would be more forthcoming with information that others would do well to know. This applies as a general statement, so take it as such. It is not directed at any person in particular, but is intended as more of a blanket statement.

Hoping everyone is well. All four readers that I have.

USG Fee increase

Thought I'd share this little morsel with you... I had written to the USG/BoR about the recent fee approval for USG's member institutions... I'll put my letter and their response. Pay careful attention to the lovely imagery they use.

My letter:

I would just like to let the Board of Regents know how incensed I am about the recent approval of the "Special fee". This should have happened further in advance of due dates for student accounts, and not at the same time as finals. Some people (by which I mean the student population at every university) didn't budget an extra $100 for miscellaneous last-minute fees. To illustrate: $100 is two weeks worth of groceries for 4 people. I suggest that in the future, the Board considers the student a little more when it makes decisions such as these. If this sort of thing were to continue, it is my firm belief that there might be a sharp decrease in new and returning students at all of the USG's member institutions.

The response:

Zack,

Thank you for expressing your concern about the Board of Regents' decisions to meet additional reductions to the University System's budget. The Chancellor has asked that I respond on his behalf. We understand and share your concern. These decisions that affect all University System students and employees were taken with the greatest reluctance and only made as a last resort in order to avoid a decrease in academic quality at our colleges and universities.

Students are our priority and being able to provide the type of instructional quality that we have currently attained in the State of Georgia requires this "temporary fee" action to be taken now to meet our portion of an 8% shortfall in the state's budget. The other alternative that would not have been the preference of anyone would have been a tuition increase. This would be permanent and very costly to students for years to come. The student fee will go directly back into the individual institutions to support the college or university's instruction mission which includes offering the courses students need when they need them.

The Board of Regents' action was courageous, proactive and ideally, preventative in respect to any future budget constraints. But as it was stated at the recent meeting, no one has a crystal ball and we do not know what the future will be in respect to economic issues. We want to maintain affordable higher education for our citizens and these decisions are done with that goal in mind.


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Student Affairs
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

“Creating a More Educated Georgia”