Editorial: Colleges’ ‘arms race’

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003 | 8:48 a.m.

A $40 million renovation of the student union building and the construction of a $50 million sports facility for students on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas will carry a hefty price tag. Currently, students pay $61 a semester in student fees, but that assessment will gradually climb to $173 a semester by the fall of 2007 to pay for the amenities. Steve Sislolak, who sits on the Board of Regents that oversees the university system, didn't believe students realized just how much the new facilities would actually affect them. So Sisolak asked the Board of Regents to reconsider its decision once they could hear from affected students. But last week the regents refused to let students speak at their meeting, voting 7-6 to reaffirm their previous support for the projects. Regent Mark Alden was so upset by the lack of consideration shown to the s tudents that he abruptly left the meeting. It's hard to blame him.

Across the nation an increase in university amenities, driven largely by an intense competition for new students, has caused controversy as students and parents question their need. The New York Times, in a recent report on the universities' "arms race," noted that Ohio State University is spending $140 million on what's being called the "Taj Mahal" of sports complexes, a 657,000-square-foot facility that will have kayaks, indoor batting cages, massages and a climbing wall that can handle 50 students at one time. UNLV's student sports complex, which will include a fitness center, indoor basketball courts and a climbing wall, is modest by Ohio State's standards, but UNLV's still will carry quite a financial wallop for students.

We have believed that this is a decision administrators should make based on the long-term needs of the institution. But the views of students and the financial impact on them also should be taken into consideration and, on that count, the Board of Regents has flunked.