No 483-word editorial can possibly parse out the problems – and, perhaps, the strengths – of the “Pathways” plan; likewise, no 12 people (or single editorial board) can come to a shared conclusion. Lacking a single-voiced judgment of the plan, we will instead offer observations and questions.
We question the timing. It’s interesting that the recommendations were released the week of Easter Break, two weeks before finals, days after a new Student Government Association was installed and, most conveniently, right after we finished the two-year reaccreditation process. If you’ve already registered for next semester, there is no excuse for an e-mail saying not only is your class canceled, your major is too.
On that note, deadlines for transferring have all passed, a slap in the face of underclassmen. They had the faith in Loyola to return; Loyola owed them the courtesy of letting them know that their major is no longer available before it was too late.
We also wonder about how departmental cuts were made. While we’ve all seen the “quintiles,” there are enormous holes in information regarding costs. For students, faculty and staff to accept this plan there must be absolute transparency; as it stands, anger and conspiracy theories have replaced reasoned debate.
Every department on campus fosters knowledge; likewise, the merits of each could be eloquently and passionately argued. But we are especially confused by decisions to cut the education, broadcast journalism and computer science disciplines.
Isn’t education the purpose of the Jesuit order? Aren’t poor schools one of the largest barriers to social justice in the city? If we’re interested in helping New Orleans, it seems like cutting a much-needed supply of teachers isn’t the way to do it.
It’s basically impossible to find a job without computer skills; if anything, Loyola should include a technology requirement in its common curriculum. Again, New Orleans’ infrastructure is being rebuilt from the ground up; there is certainly service to the city there.
The discontinuation of broadcast is surprising. Loyola hosted the first radio broadcast in the South with WWL radio. Incidentally, much of our endowment came from the sale, which netted us $11 million for WWL radio and $88 million for WWL-TV. Many of our graduates won Peabody awards for their broadcasts through the storm; many who were in New Orleans got all of their information from WWL radio. That’s service to the city.
Changes obviously have to be made, but to what extent do we mortgage our present for our future?
If one thing is for certain in this critical stage, it is that shouting must be replaced with conversation, and emotion must be replaced with a view of the bigger picture. Father Wildes has a difficult task ahead of him, and the issue of how to keep the university afloat requires our ideas, not our criticism.
With any luck, maybe we can find a real solution … if there is one.
