Affordable education should be University priority
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Editor,
To Peregrine Frissell and Occupy Polson students, I commend you for working hard and tackling the difficulty of paying for college. One point needs clarification: According to UM’s website, the basic cost of a year at college is $13,275; adding books and personal expenses comes to about $18,000. But it includes $7,500 for room and board, which a person needs regardless of attending college or not.
No doubt you’ve been invited to explore private grant sources. Polson High School reports that typically $180,000 in local private and service club scholarships are available each year; a whopping $580,000 in merit-based scholarships from colleges were awarded to PHS students in 2009.
You may be more productive — in the wake of the Board of Regent’s proposed $78,300 increase in the Commissioner’s salary — to assail the impression that University leadership is not working to contain escalating costs.
To be sure, the Commissioner’s job is demanding. Polson can be proud of Clay Christian, PHS graduate and successful businessman. His real-world background will serve him well, since academia is already well-represented on the Board.
But their pay bump inflames your point over increasing costs. This $283,300 salary is two-and-a-half times what our governor makes; two-and-a-quarter times what our Supreme Court justices make and is one of the highest in the state.
You might suggest the increase could be wisely used toward holding down student costs. Yes, it’s miniscule compared to the gross costs of Montana’s university system, but the Regents should send the message that their priority is to provide an affordable, rewarding education.
Because you are right, an educated public enriches us all.
Carmine Mowbray
Montana Senate District 6
Polson
