Pubdate: Mon, 10 Feb 2003
Source: Daily Targum (NJ Edu)
Copyright: 2003 Daily Targum
Contact:  http://www.dailytargum.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/715
Author: Taly Kanfi
Note: Taly Kanfi is a Rutgers College first-year student.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PROPOSAL CAN PREVENT UNIVERSITY BUDGET CUTS

This is "A Modest Proposal" for preventing the state budget cuts from being 
a burden on the students and the University, and for making them beneficial 
in the future.

A dismal mood pervades the University, as 400-person lectures are dismissed 
prematurely due to malfunctioning audio-visual equipment. Students cram 
into overcrowded buses, only to be late to class anyway and the bathrooms 
are out of order, yet again. A 14 percent budget cut, at an institution 
that was under funded to begin with, stifles any hope that the situation 
will be improved in the near future.

In his letter to the students, the President of the University, asked, "How 
will New Jersey remain in the forefront of the innovation economy?" I have 
given this matter, and the problems of the University much thought, having 
devoted many recitation hours to the fruitful contemplation of the matter. 
The University must take the situation into its own hands, and solve its 
own financial problems, by employing the use of its greatest resource: the 
students of Rutgers. In a place where students often forsake required 
reading for other pursuits, it will be a considerable challenge to get them 
to work for the greater good of the University. Therefore, the solution 
lies in making a profit on an activity many students engage in anyway.

A 1995 survey of the New Jersey Family Policy Council states that 37.5 
percent of persons aged 18 to 21 have tried marijuana at least three times, 
and it is safe to assume this is a low bias number for current university 
usage. With over 48,000 students on all of the Rutgers campuses, this is a 
projected market of at least 18,000 students within the University alone! 
Now if the University could offer legal protection to those students 
willing to sell marijuana or other illicit substances commonly consumed by 
students in return for a cut of the profits, it would make major headway in 
surmounting the gap caused by this year's budget cuts. With proper 
implementation, such permits will be in higher demand than those for 
parking by the end of the semester.

I realize that this plan is a little bit controversial, but one must really 
consider it in light of the alternatives. The University must utilize any 
means possible in order to increase internal revenue; it simply cannot 
afford to do otherwise. With its three campuses, Rutgers has the potential 
to reach out to a large and geographically varied market. With its 
reputation for diversity, Rutgers students will be able penetrate the many 
different segments of the market. With its reputation for excellence in 
higher education, Rutgers students will have a competitive advantage over 
sellers who are also working towards their degrees.

The program would attract a lot of attention to Rutgers, and as the cliche 
states, there is no bad publicity. This program would provide a greater 
public profile for the University, and students would be proud of their 
unique role in such a turn around. Although some may complain about the 
reduction of morals to increase morale, there is no need for worry. As has 
been previously mentioned, students would engage in such activities anyway. 
With this new plan, the school would be involved on behalf of the students, 
and could protect them, from an unfortunate early career termination at the 
hands of the state police. With proper implementation, we may even be able 
to increase the total University budget and begin to remedy the plethora of 
preexisting problems.

I dare the State Legislators, whom may disapprove of this proposal, to 
develop a viable alternative, one that is as creative, and revolutionary, 
to give New Jersey public higher education the funding it deserves. Until 
then, I merely offer this modest proposal.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager