I can't help but question the motives of colleges and universities these days. The amount of money it costs to take a class or live on campus is absolutely ludacris. I feel as though they are trying to make a quick buck any way possible.
For example: I am an entertainment and sports management major. Part of my cirriculum requires me to complete an internship. This past semester I have been working as an intern at the ESPN 100.9 FM radio in Midland, MI. I took this internship knowing that it was unpaid, simply because I need one in order to graduate. I am required to work at least 300 hours over the given time period, technically all for free. Or is it? I actually have to PAY $1,830 in order to do this internship...what? Since the internship counts as three credit hours, I am required to pay $610 per credit hour. Awesome. So, what is my money going towards? Well, my professors are supposed to visit my on site and see my place of employment and how I work in it. SUPPPOSED TO, being the keywords. I have two weeks left of service and have yet to have a professor visit. They also have to read a manual put together by me at the end of my term. This manual includes my time entry tables and journal entries explaining what my bi-weekly tasks were. Well, if you didn't assign me to put together this manual, you wouldn't have to read it. I cannot describe how unfair I believe this scenario is. I do not understand why a professor should get paid or Northwood University should make any money from MY service of 300 hours.
At the beginning of my college career I was given a completion plan. This plan mapped out my 4 years of college, telling me which classes I am required to take and where I can fit in electives. Today while attempting to schedule for a junior level major class, I was surprised when I was told I had not met the prerequisite. Going back to my plan to see what was required, I noticed right away the class I was missing. Going back through my plan, that class was nowhere listed in my first two years.
I am going to have to take this class over the summer, fine, whatever. The thing that makes me mad is that I'm going to have to pay extra money for this class when I could have worked it into the openings of previous semesters. It is unacceptable for a university to make a mistake like this, especially because I know it happens frequently here. This is a $1,800 mistake they're making, but it's okay because they actually reap the benefits of a student having to take an extra class.
A university is supposed to help students prepare for their future. They are just like any other business out there. They are relying on their students as their source of income. Customer service and satisfaction of a student should be just as important as customer service of any other company. I am truly disappointed and disgusted that one is able to question an educational facility in such a way, but how can I not when provided with such evidence?
