Three suggestions for CMU to start 2010 right
It is safe to say a lot happened at Central Michigan University over the last 10 years.
The university expanded with new buildings and programs over the years, and now is enduring a tough state economy and rising tuition. The football team spent the first half of this decade as a bottom-feeder in the Mid-American Conference, then went on to win three of the last four conference titles.
And now, as a new decade begins, a new page turns at Central Michigan University. Here is what we think CMU should aim for in the first year of the 2010s.
Find a good coach The football team is in transition with three-year coach Butch Jones leaving for Cincinnati and players such as Dan LeFevour and Antonio Brown on their way out. It is critical to find someone to continue Jones’ winning work at CMU.
Football is a force in the Mount Pleasant economy. Students and alumni will not come to Kelly/Shorts Stadium to see a football team that loses, and local businesses will feel the effects the hardest.
With other big sports such as men’s and women’s basketball not generating excitement, the football team must continue its winning ways.
Athletic Director Dave Heeke has a pressure-filled decision to make.
Lab hours Last semester, computer labs around campus experienced a slash in hours in order to save $80,000.
This is nothing, however, when compared to the other expenses and projects that the university is embarking upon.
Lab hours at Woldt and Grawn halls should be restored to 24 hours like they used to be. The primary focus of college is to ensure that students have the resources necessary to succeed, and computer labs are a part of those resources.
Many students are busy through out the day between classes, jobs, and other university activities.
Not all can afford to have a computer. The labs solved these problems by allowing students to enter at any time.
A few computer labs are open for 24 hours on certain days, but that’s not enough to satisfy the demand.
At least two computer labs should be open at all times any day of the week so there are enough computers for every students that needs one.
Save money A sharp eye has to stay on CMU’s budget with Michigan’s economy struggling.
The university just built a new education building.
Rose Arena is undergoing some much-needed renovations.
The medical school add-on to the Health Professions Building is the next big project and will soon begin construction.
While these projects have potential to expand and make CMU better, officials needs to be aware of how much money they are spending.
Michigan’s economy has slowly gotten worse the past few years and won’t improve for awhile.
With tuition increasing every year, CMU’s enrollment will most likely decrease.
Large projects can no longer be the main focus if CMU expects to survive the next decade.
The university will face numerous challenges as we head into the new year.
CMU will have to make some critical decisions to make sure students get their money’s worth in Mount Pleasant.
