by Ronak Singh

Finding the Best Study Spot: A Recap

Over the past few months, I’ve been on a mission to find some of the best study spots on campus (other than the Library, of course). Throughout this semester, I’ve discovered some great spots to get my work done, and I wanted to take the opportunity to recap some highlights from those experiences. Like the rest of my passion blog posts, I’ve taken into account major factors like ambient noise levels, food and drink amenities, seating arrangements/availability, location, and smaller details like great views or natural light.

Starting with the HUB, some of my favorite aspects from the HUB included the variations in seating options throughout the building, as well as the plethora of food and drink amenities. Living in South campus, the location of the HUB was extremely convenient as well. My largest complaints included not being able to find many open seating areas with desk space, as well as the high ambient noise-levels.

The following post, I decided to take a trip across HUB Lawn to the Biobehavioral Building, where I found the ambient noise to be almost non-existent. In addition to this near-silent environment, I found a plethora of seating arrangements with table space, allowing me to get all of my work done in one area. Some other major pros included the great views of South campus, as well as lots natural light in the space. The only major drawback of the space was the lack of food and drink amenities (which wasn’t a dealbreaker considering the HUB is less than a minute walk away).

Next I journeyed West to the Westgate Building. There, I found great seating arrangements with plenty of desk space, relatively-low ambient noise levels, food and drink amenities, great views, and plenty of natural light. The largest drawback, however, was the location of the building. Being in far-West campus, the aptly-named Westgate Building is out of the way for many students.

After trying to study in Westgate, I decided to try the brand-new Bellisario Media Center in the Willard Building. There, I found myself enjoying the seating arrangements and low ambient noise levels, however I noticed the distinct lack of natural light and food/drink amenities. One major positive for the media center was it’s extremely-convenient location, especially for students with classes in Willard.

Next, I tried journeying North to the Business Building, where I found great food and drink options. The seating are I chose was filled with natural light, and there was an abundance of seating options. However, one of the largest drawbacks of the space was definitely the high ambient noise levels.

Finally, to finish-off my quest for the best study spot on campus, I tried studying in the Chambers Building. Although the building didn’t have any food or drink amenities, I found myself being extremely-productive in my study spot on the “bridge” of the Chambers Building. The seating was comfortable, however I could definitely see how the seating area could get filled up rapidly.

All in all, I can confidently say that I would recommend all of the study spots I tried out. However, I did find myself repeatedly-visiting a couple of study spots in particular. Namely, I found myself going to Westgate (whenever I was in the area) and the Biobehavioral Building. In fact, I were to choose a favorite study spot, I would have to decide on the BBH building. The BBH building has the perfect mix of all of the factors I was looking for, with the convenient location being a huge plus! I would recommend the space to anyone, especially if you’re looking for a new spot to get work done.

by Ronak Singh

Finding the Best Study Spot: The Chambers Building

Last week, I decided to venture to North campus to try getting some work done in the Smeal College of Business’ Business Building. While I was pleased with the plethora of seating options, conveniently-located food and drink amenities, and the natural light in the space, one of the largest downsides I noticed were the relatively-high levels of ambient noise. This week, I decided to stay in North campus and try studying in the home of the College of Education, the Chambers Building. Last semester I had some classes in the Chambers Building, and I ran into some study spots with high-potential in the building throughout the semester. While I never got the chance to try them out in the Fall semester, I was glad to re-visit Chambers and try getting some work done.

 

A Jaunt to the Education Department: Studying in the Chambers Building – Studying Around Our Campus: A Journey Through Penn State

My Study Spot of Choice

 

I reached my study spot at around 3pm on a Wednesday. The area where I eventually settled on for getting some work done was on the second floor of the building, in a “bridge-like” section of the building. It was a narrow hallway with a couple of booth seating arrangements. Being that classes were still going on at the time, I was surprised to see that this seating area was relatively-empty, meaning that there were seating options to choose from. One of the first things that I noticed after getting settled in the area was the low amounts of ambient noise. Since the seating area was in an isolated hallway, I found that there was extremely little noise in the area, even when classes were changing. In fact, the noise levels were comparable to those in the pin-drop silence environment of the Biobehavioral Health Building.

In terms of comfort, I found the seating arrangements to be great, allowing for me to work for long periods of time. In addition, with each of the seating arrangements containing desk space, getting all types of work done is extremely convenient. One consideration, however, is the small nature of the space. While I was able to find a booth to work in, there are only 4-5 booths available, meaning that the space could be filled very easily. Despite the size of the area, this study space is filled with natural light, making it a huge positive point for me.

In terms of food and drink amenities, the Chambers Building doesn’t have any Starbucks, Paneras, or even Saxby’s. However, if you are looking for a spot nearby to find mid-study refreshments, the Starbucks in the library is always a great option. Another drawback, similar to buildings like Westgate and the Business Building, is the Chambers Building’s location. Living in South, I found myself having to walk a considerable amount to get to and from my study spot.

Overall, I would consider my experience studying in the Chambers Building to be positive! While the location and the lack of food and drink amenities in the building were some of the main drawbacks of the space, I really appreciated the natural light and the seating arrangements in the space. If you’re in the area and want a different study spot from the library, I would definitely recommend trying out the Chambers Building!

by Ronak Singh

Finding the Best Study Spot: Business Building

In the previous post, I found myself getting some work done in the Willard Building’s brand-new Bellisario Media Center. I really enjoyed the experience, as the low levels of ambient noise and the plethora of seating options, combined with Willard’s convenient location, all contributed to a close-to-ideal studying experience. However, some of my main criticisms of the space included the lack of natural light and food or drink amenities. In the next stop on my journey to find the best study spot, I decided to take a trip to the Business Building. Home to the Smeal College of Business and situated in the Northern side of campus, the Business Building seemed to have the makings of an appealing study spot just from its initial impressions.

 

Penn State Smeal College of Business - BLTa

The Ground Level Seating Area (Source: BLT Architects).

 

I reached my study spot around 2pm on a Wednesday. I decided to get settled in the main seating area on the ground floor of the building. Classes were still going on at the time, and the business building seemed to be full of students looking to get some work done. As a result, seating options were definitely limited, however there were still enough spaces for everyone. Interestingly, in terms of ambient noise, I found the Business Building to be in between Westgate/Bellisario Media Center and the HUB. This meant that while I didn’t find the noise to be particularly-distracting, I definitely noticed the environment to be louder than my previous two study spots.

In terms of comfort, I found the seating options to be excellent, allowing me to complete my work for long periods of time undistracted.  While my options might have been limited for seating, there is a plethora of seating arrangements available in the Business Building, making the space great for both individual and collaborative work. Like Westgate, I found the business building to have a large selection of desks, making it convenient to get all types of work finished.

In my previous review, some of my biggest cons for the Bellisario Media Center included the lack of natural light and the lack of food and drink amenities. To my satisfaction, the Business Building had plenty to offer for both these considerations. The Business Building has large multi-story floor-to-ceiling windows, letting in an abundance of natural light. While the views might not be as eye-catching as those from Westgate or the Biobehavioral Health Building, the natural light is a welcomed feature of the space. In terms of food and drink amenities, the Business Building is home to a conveniently-located Saxby’s (it’s located on the ground floor, right in front of where I was studying). Other than the higher ambient noise-levels, the only other major drawback that I found for the Business Building was it’s location. Living in South campus, the Business building was a long walk for me, however students living in East campus (or with classes in the area) will likely enjoy the relative-convenience of the Business Building.

Overall, my experience at the Business building was excellent! Other than the noise levels and the location, I would consider it a near perfect experience, as it combined many of the major elements I look for in an ideal study spot. If you’re in the area (or if you’re willing to make the long walk), I would definitely recommend checking out the Business Building!

by Ronak Singh

Issue Brief: Draft Outline

Title: Decreased Government Funding in Higher Education Has Burdened Students with Greater Student Debt

[Intro]

Today, the American people collectively owe over $1.6 trillion in student debt, a number that has only been increasing at a seemingly exponential rate. This isn’t just a recent issue either––In 1995 that number was a “mere” $187 billion (adjusted for inflation) (Peter G. Peterson Foundation). What’s more concerning is the fact that this debt of over $1.6 trillion is being held by only 43.4 million Americans. One of the biggest contributors to these absurd levels in student debt is the rapidly increasing price of college itself. In fact, in the period between 1995 and today, public 4-year university tuition rates have increased by 120% (adjusted for inflation). These unacceptably steep increases in tuition and the overall cost of higher education leave many of today’s students in a dilemma––is it worth going to college for the long-term career benefits, or does the debt associated with college tip the balance in favor of directly-entering the workforce?

Taking on student debt can have life-long consequences as well. In fact, according to a study performed by ProgressNow, college graduates with student loans are 36% less likely to buy a house and significantly less likely to take out car loans. Considering the long-term negative impacts that student debt can have on individuals who hold student debt, the decision whether or not to pursue higher education is becoming an increasingly financially dependent one.

The magnitude of these annual increases in tuition rates and student debt is unacceptable, and action must be taken to reduce the size of these increases. In recent years, substantial decreases in both federal and state government spending have significantly contributed to these large annual increases in student debt. Rather than continuing this trend, it is imperative that state and federal governments make significant increases in their funding of higher education institutions.

(Will make citations Chicago-style)

 

General Outline (Headings are bullets with zero indent):

  • Who exactly owes student debt?
    • A brief history of student debt
      • Looking at pre-Great Recession
      • Looking at impact of Great Recession
      • Impacts of COVID
    • Brief breakdown of the different demographics (for example, educational backgrounds) of those in debt
  • Why is government funding so important to higher education institutions?
    • Looking at how large a role government funding plays in university budgets
      • Using Penn State’s budget as an example
    • Underlining the relationship between government funding and tuition rates
      • Continuing to use Penn State’s budget data as an example
      • Showing how decreases in funding leads to higher tuition rates
    • Trends in higher education funding at the state and federal level
      • Looking at the impact of the Great Recession on government funding of higher education
        • Quantifying how much funding decreased after the Great Recession
      • Looking at how funding from the state and federal level has “recovered” since
        • In recent years, state-level funding has grown in some states
        • Underlining the idea that, despite these increases in state funding, funding still hasn’t made a recovery from the drops from the Great Recession
          • Understanding potential reasons for this slower recovery
        • Talk about how some experts predict massive cuts in coming years
      • Ways to increase higher education funding at the state and federal level
        • First focusing on why funding is so low
          • Looking at other programs that are “eating into” what used to be government funding reserved for higher education
        • Proposing policies to channel more funding towards higher education
          • Exploring options of using funds which may be going towards excessive mandatory spending programs
        • Looking at the impacts of increasing funding for higher education
      • Conclusion
        • Wrapping up, giving final points on the implications of higher funding for higher education institutions
by Ronak Singh

Issue Brief: Introduction Draft I

Today, the American people collectively owe over $1.6 trillion in student debt, a number that has only been increasing at a seemingly exponential rate. This isn’t just a recent issue either––In 1995 that number was a “mere” $187 billion (adjusted for inflation) (Peter G. Peterson Foundation). What’s more concerning is the fact that this debt of over $1.6 trillion is being held by only 43.4 million Americans. One of the biggest contributors to these absurd levels in student debt is the rapidly increasing price of college itself. In fact, in the period between 1995 and today, public 4-year university tuition rates have increased by 120% (adjusted for inflation).

As the average price of an undergraduate education has risen nearly 30% in the past 10 years, these unacceptably steep increases in tuition and the overall cost of higher education leave many of today’s students in a dilemma––is it worth going to college for the long-term career benefits, or does the debt associated with college tip the balance in favor of directly-entering the workforce? Especially in light of the life-long negative impacts that student debt can have on individuals who hold student debt, the decision whether or not to pursue higher education is becoming an increasingly financially dependent one.

The magnitude of these annual increases is unacceptable, and action must be taken to reduce the size of these increases, specifically by examining how decreases in funding and increases in budgeted expenses have negatively impacted students’ ability to pay for higher education.

(Sources are currently informally cited, but Chicago citations will be used)

by Ronak Singh

Finding the Best Study Spot: Willard Building

In the previous post, I decided to venture West to get some work done in the appropriately-named Westgate building. It’s safe to say it was one of my favorite study spots so far, especially since it’s a great middle ground between the HUB and the Biobehavioral Health Building. The low levels of ambient noise and the seating arrangements, paired with the views and amenities, contributed to the great study environment that Westgate offers. One of my biggest drawbacks for the building, however, was its inconvenient location for most students. As a result, I decided to try out a study spot which might be a bit less of a walk, namely the Willard Building. In particular, I tried studying in the newly-opened Bellisario Media Center.

When most people think of the Willard Building, the first words that come to mind likely aren’t very positive. The older classrooms and lecture halls, paired with the uncomfortable wooden benches in the hallways, probably doesn’t scream “great study spot” to most students (myself included). However, on the other side of Willard, beyond the classrooms and wooden benches, lies the recently-opened Bellisario Media Center. I accidentally discovered the Media Center after accidentally taking the wrong entrance into Willard, but I’d definitely say it’s a mistake I don’t regret. My main study spot was by the main entrance in what was intended to be a collaborative space. I arrived around noon on a Tuesday. While students were going in between classes, I found the area to be relatively-quiet, and it was far less-occupied than I expected. While I decided to set up camp at a bar-like seating area, there was a plethora of different seating options, giving students the flexibility to choose the best option for themselves. In fact, one of my favorite aspects of the Media Center in Willard was the versatility of the space, making it great to get all types of work done.

 

A Look Inside PSU's Willard Building After an Extensive Multimillion-Dollar Renovation | WJAC

Seating Area in Bellisario Media Center (Source: WJAC).

 

Photo Story] Take A Tour Of The New Bellisario Media Center | Onward State

Main Entrance of Bellisario Media Center (Source: Onward State).

 

The ambient noise levels were extremely-comparable to Westgate, as I never found the background noise to be disturbing. The comfort of the seating arrangements was excellent, allowing me to get work done comfortably for as long as I need. One of my biggest challenges throughout my search for the best study spots on campus has been finding open desk space. However, similar to Westgate, finding ample desk space is far from a problem. As I mentioned before, there was plenty of space available throughout my time at the Media Center.

One of the biggest drawbacks for me was the lighting in the Media Commons. While it seems to be by-design, I noticed the distinct lack of natural light in the area, and some areas felt dimly-lit. In addition, the lack of amenities in Willard (like Panera or Starbucks) might make it difficult to study for long-periods of time if you’re in the mood for a snack break.

Overall, however, my experience at the Bellisario Media Center in the Willard Building was great, as I found the study environment to be on-par with Westgate. While the lack of natural-lighting and food/drink amenities was noticeable for me, I found the location of Willard to be extremely convenient, especially given that many of my classes are in the building anyways (like RCL). Given these consideration, I would definitely recommend checking-out the Media Center next time you’re in the area looking for a study spot!

by Ronak Singh

The Student Debt Crisis, Pt. III

In the previous two parts of the continued discussion on the student debt crisis, the main focus of the conversation primarily circled around why college tuition is so expensive, why it’s increasing at such a large rate, and what higher education institutions can do to limit these massive increases in tuition rates. As a result, it is important that the third and final part of this discussion is focused on how exactly these rising tuition rates are impacting students today, as well as how these expenses will continue to impact them throughout their lives. At the end of the day, the discussion surrounding the student debt crisis should always be had with the students’ best interest in mind. After all, it’s crucial to understand how exactly $1.61 trillion in student debt affects the 43.4 million Americans who hold this debt.

Firstly, who exactly is taking out student loans, and how much do they contribute to the $1.61 trillion figure? According to Brookings, “one-third of the outstanding debt is held by the 6 percent of borrowers who owe more than $100,000.” While this small number of students comprises a large-by-comparison 33% of the national debt, these graduates are often able to pay their hefty student loans with high paying jobs (as a result of their graduate or professional degrees). Using this same logic, it is clear to see why borrowers with less total student debt struggle more to pay off their student loans. In terms of what types of institutions these students are attending, it is unsurprising that students who attend private for-profit institutions have significantly-higher student debt than students who attend public universities.

Beyond the relatively well-known lifelong burden that college graduates hold as a result of their student loans, there is a plethora of far-reaching consequences which, in many ways, set these students’ lives back, making it harder for them to reach potential goals like purchasing a home or starting a family. According to a study performed by ProgressNow, college graduates with student loans are 36% less likely to buy a house and significantly less-likely to take out car loans. In addition, on average, students with outstanding loans have lower credit scores, making it even more difficult for these students to borrow in general. These notably lower credit scores come partially as a result of graduates being unable to pay their student debt in time. In fact, according to ProgressNow, despite the rate of credit card defaults falling below 10 percent, “the rate of student loans in ‘serious delinquency’ has gone up to 11.5 percent.” This means that the rate of students who have payments over 90 days over due has increased by over 10 percent. Worst of all, according to Rohit Chopra of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, many students who find themselves unable to pay off their student debt don’t end up graduating; in fact these students’ default rate is three times higher than students who do graduate. Students who don’t get the opportunity to finish their degree are left with significant debt and lowered credit scores, all without being able to reap the benefits of a higher education degree. While the benefits of pursuing higher education are well-established, it is often easy to miss the stories of students who find themselves unable to take advantage of these benefits due to the unnecessarily-high cost of higher education.

To continue on the implications of lowered credit scores as a result of outstanding student loans, it is important to consider the impact of student debt on one of the most important aspects of a college graduate’s life after school––finding employment. Another point which is rarely touched upon in the conversation surrounding student debt, finding employment is crucial for graduates in terms of paying off student loans on time. According to ProgressNow, “Despite their qualifications, grads often have to settle for lower-paying, lower-skill jobs just so they can start paying their loan bills right away. As a result, graduates in debt often miss out on the benefits that come with a degree.” Similar to the students who never got to graduate as a result of absurd college tuition rates, graduates in lower-skill positions can’t take full advantage of their degrees, yet they must still pay off the loans they took out for the degree. Even worse, students with lower credit scores as a result of student debt may have even more difficulty finding employment. In fact, according to Investopedia, “Companies frequently conduct background checks, which can include credit checks—especially if you’re applying for a position in the financial industry.” Unfortunately, companies that find students with lower credit scores may be hesitant to hire these graduates as a result. While these adverse consequences of taking on high amounts of student debt aren’t necessarily justified or logical, they continue to plague students with debt.

With the previously-discussed impacts of students taking on high amounts of debt clearly affecting graduates’ lives not only immediately after school, but in the long term as well, it only seems obvious that something must be done. In particular, it is crucial to minimize the financial barriers of entry to higher education for students from all backgrounds. For example, while many schools offer financial aid to students, many students who come from middle-class families find themselves in the dilemma of not being eligible for need-based aid, yet not having enough money to cover the cost for college. In fact, according to a study from Dartmouth sociology professor Jason Houle, “students from families earning between $40,000 to $59,000 per year racked up 60 percent more debt than lower-income students and 280 percent more than their peers whose families earned between $100,000 and $149,000 per year.” Drawing upon the conclusions of parts I and II from the discussion on the student debt crisis, it is essential that colleges control egregious and unnecessary spending on excessive campus projects and programs, as well as for measures to be taken to increase these schools’ accountability in terms of budgeting and finances. After all, the best way to minimize the impacts that student debt has on college graduates is to minimize student debt, and the best way to minimize student debt is to control and monitor tuition rates and increases.

 

Sources:

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/100515/10-ways-student-debt-can-destroy-your-life.asp

“https://scholarshipamerica.org/blog/the-far-reaching-impact-of-the-student-debt-crisis”

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/rising-student-debt-harming-us-economy

 

by Ronak Singh

Finding the Best Study Spot: Westgate

In the previous post, I took a trip to the Biobehavioral Health Building to try and get some work done, and I was extremely pleased with my experience. I appreciated the BBH Building’s convenient location, near-silent environment, and great views. In fact, one of the only drawbacks was the lack of amenities in the building itself. With these observations in mind, I decided to take a walk to West campus to try out a new spot; namely, the Westgate building. Home to the School of Information Sciences and Technology (and known for its extremely-windy walking tunnel), Westgate contains a plethora of study spots. The area I chose in particular was a seating area right next to the building’s Panera Bread.

 

File:Penn state information sciences and technology building interior.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

The seating area around the Panera Bread (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

 

I reached my study spot at around 4 pm on a Wednesday. While there were classes still going on at the time, the area was relatively-empty, with many seating options to choose from. While my experience at the HUB was characterized by high levels of ambient noise and my experience at the BBH Building was characterized by near-silence, my experience in Westgate was somewhere in between. While I couldn’t describe the seating area as being extremely quiet, I never found myself distracted by the ambient noise. As expected, the noise levels peaked in between classes, as students walked to and from their classes.

In terms of comfort, I found the chairs in seating areas around Westgate to be extremely comfortable, allowing you to work for long periods of time undisturbed if needed. The seating arrangements themselves were extremely convenient as well, as an abundance of desks was always available. This means that, unlike the HUB, you can finish all of your work in one area, rather than always having to look for open desks. One other consideration I made sure to take note of was the views from all around Westgate. For example, the seating area by the Panera Bread lies right above North Atherton Street (Westgate acts as a bridge over the street), giving you fascinating views of West campus, as well as the campus golf course. The sunset in particular was breathtaking through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Also, with these views comes another pro: an abundance of natural light which fill the rooms of Westgate.

Finally, while I’ve mentioned it briefly throughout this post, the Westgate building also has a Panera Bread conveniently-placed at the center of the building. The Panera makes grabbing mid-study refreshments extremely easy, as the amenities are located in the building itself. In addition, the excellent seating area adjacent to the Panera makes it a great location to both eat and study.

Overall, my study experience at Westgate was excellent, and in terms of environment I found it to be an appealing “middle ground” between studying at the HUB and the Biobehavioral Health Building. Noise levels remained low, and seating arrangements were extremely convenient and comfortable. In addition, Westgate has dining options and amenities in the form of the Panera Bread. One of the biggest drawbacks, however, is the location. Being in far West campus, Westgate is out of the way for many students. However, if you’re in the area (or willing to make the walk), I would definitely recommend checking Westgate out!

by Ronak Singh

The Student Debt Crisis, Pt. II

In pt. I of the conversation on the student debt crisis, one of the topics touched upon was holding higher education institutions accountable for their spending, especially when ostentatious campus development projects or excessive services are in question. The funding for many of these unnecessarily-expensive projects comes from the students themselves in the form of rising fees and tuition rates. Consequentially, these higher tuition rates leave many students with a lifetime of paying off their student loans, as the amount of national student debt continues to climb past $1.6 trillion. While the broader effects of decreases in funding and increases in schools’ expenses were discussed in pt. I of the conversation on the student debt crisis, it’s necessary to take a deeper dive into the more specific implications of why schools’ expenses are rising, as well as what can be done to control these increases in both expenses and tuition rates.

In a study done by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), higher education institutions (including 2-year and 4-year programs) spent a total of $632 billion. This figure is a combination of all operating and maintenance expenses, as well as campus development projects. So where exactly does all of this money go? Unsurprisingly, the study found that faculty salaries and benefits were among the largest piece of the “expenses pie” (National Center for Education Statistics). It is difficult to argue or advocate for cost-cutting in terms of faculty compensation, especially as many schools significantly underpay their faculty as is. For example, at the University of Michigan, professors and graduate students are comparatively under-compensated despite the university’s $377 million operating budget surplus (The Hechinger Report). While most universities shouldn’t be cutting costs from their faculty salaries and benefits, it is unacceptable for schools who have large operating budget surpluses, like the University of Michigan, to not only continue to underpay their faculty, but to pass the financial burden of faculty compensation onto students in the form of rapidly-rising tuition rates.

In addition to faculty salaries and benefits, another one of the largest pieces of the “expenses pie” came from a category in the NCES study called, “academic support, student services, and institutional support.” The study says these include, “expenses associated with noninstructional activities, such as admissions, student activities, libraries, and administrative and executive activities.” While one reason for the category’s high ranking is the due to the number of expenses grouped together, the expenses of student services and institutional support make up a significant portion of the pie regardless. One of the main reasons for this large and overly-general grouping comes as a result of one of the biggest sources of rising tuition rates: a lack of transparency from schools concerning their expenditures. Many higher education institutions offer data on their annual budgets, however this data is often vague, and means of reporting budget data is inconsistent across universities. This lack of transparency from schools concerning their annual budgets and expenses makes it difficult to hold these school accountable for unnecessary expenses. As a result, surveys and studies, like the one from the National Center for Education Statistics, cannot make specific conclusions or comparisons on spending data. For example, to revisit the “academic support, student services, and institutional support” category from the NCES study, some expenses like those for student activities or libraries directly benefit students. Other expenses in the category, like administrative and executive activities, can contain unnecessary expenses which unnecessarily inflate tuition rates for students. Without transparency concerning expenditures (especially those involving student tuition), there’s very little stopping higher education institutions from continuing to irresponsibly-use student tuition. However, despite these inconsistencies in reporting, more students and faculty than ever are taking initiatives to hold their respective schools accountable. For example, according to the Hechinger Report, “In Colorado, adjunct instructors at community colleges have used public-records law to dig through data showing vast disparities in pay.”

Regardless of where a higher education institution allocates its money and regardless of how student tuition is spent, universities’ primary focus (regardless of whether the school is public/private or non-profit/for-profit) should be on catering to the needs of students, as well as ensuring that students have the tools required for a quality education. Part of that task to cater to the needs of students should include offering financial aid to students. Revisiting the NCES study, one of the smallest contributors to the “expenses pie” was net grant aid to students. In fact, for many institutions, net grant aid made up less than 1% of the institution’s budget. Although the amount of grant aid given has increased in recent years, the portion that grant aid makes up in most schools’ budgets is still extremely low. While increasing grant aid would increase annual expenses for most schools, students who receive this grant aid will feel the positive impacts of the gift for a lifetime, especially in terms of minimizing student loan debt.

Tuition rates continue to rise at unprecedented rates, as the average price of an undergraduate education has risen nearly 30% in the past 10 years. While some of these increases are inevitable due to inflation, there are many areas where higher education institutions continue to irresponsibly allocate funds from student tuition. Rather than using the income to directly impact students, universities often allocate funds towards unnecessary campus development projects or excessive programs and services, directing a majority of the financial towards students in the form of rising tuition and fees. While certain expenses like faculty salaries and benefits shouldn’t be reduced, expenses like administrative and executive activities are often allocated unnecessarily-high amounts of funding. In addition, as a result of the lack of transparency and consistency surrounding many aspects of universities’ annual budgets expenditures, it can be difficult for students and faculty to hold their respective institutions accountable for irresponsible spending. While it’s important to pinpoint different expenses of a university’s budget that can be cut or reduced, it is also important to ensure that students remain the center of the conversation during the whole process, as expenses like grant aid directly benefit students in both the long and short run.

 

References (URLs)

“https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=75”

“https://hechingerreport.org/increasingly-skeptical-students-employees-want-colleges-to-show-them-the-mon”

“https://www.bdo.com/blogs/nonprofit-standard/july-2021/higher-education-in-the-u-s-%E2%80%93-rising-costs,-enroll”

by Ronak Singh

Finding the Best Study Spot: The Biobehavioral Health Building

Last post, I kicked-off the search for the best study spot by visiting the HUB-Robeson Center. While the HUB has some great spots to get work done, some of the biggest negatives from my experience were the high ambient noise and the relatively-small number of desks available around the building. This time around, I decided to try out a spot on the other side of the HUB Lawn––the Biobehavioral Health building.

When I first came to campus in the Fall of 2021, my math professor was talking with me and a couple of students about his favorite areas to get work done on campus. Interestingly, one of his biggest recommendations was the Biobehavioral Health building. In fact, he mentioned that whenever he didn’t want to be found by his colleagues or students, the Biobehavioral Health building was his refuge. After visiting the building myself to get some work done, I can definitely understand where he’s coming from.

Adventuring into Uncharted Territory: Exploring the Biobehavioral Health Building – Studying Around Our Campus: A Journey Through Penn State

One level of studying areas in the Biobehavioral Health Building. Source: Penn State

While the HUB had many different sitting areas and study spaces, all of the study spaces in the Biobehavioral Health building are concentrated on one end of the building, and they all offer a relatively-similar environment. I reached my study spot around 1pm on a Tuesday and, to my surprise, nearly all of the sitting areas were open. Speaking of seating areas, the building has three floors of seating, each of which contain 5-6 tables which seat two people (or one person if you like your space). You can see how one of these floors look in the picture above.

As mentioned before, the seating areas in the Biobehavioral Health building are rarely ever full, meaning that there’s almost always space to work. In addition, the study areas are near silent, making them excellent to get any type of work done. The chairs are comfortable as well, allowing you to work for long periods of time (a welcome change after the back-pain from the HUB’s indoor bleachers). In addition, especially on the higher floors, the views and the natural light from the building’s floor-to-ceiling windows are always welcomed.One of the biggest drawbacks of the Biobehavioral Health building is the lack of food and drink options. If you want to get any refreshments while you study, the closest option is making the short walk to the HUB. In some ways, however, the lack of food and drink options in the building itself ensure that the study areas are almost always silent.

Overall, like the HUB, the location of the Biobehavioral Health building itself is relatively-convenient, especially for students in South campus. While there aren’t many amenities inside the building, its close-proximity to the HUB still gives students quick access to all of the HUB’s amenities (HUB Dining, the bookstore, etc.). One major positive for the Biobehavioral Health building is the near-silent environment. That, paired with the abundance of open chairs, tables, and natural light, makes for a nearly-ideal study spot. The Biobehavioral Health building is a “hidden gem” when it comes to the best areas to get work done on campus, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area!