The University of Pittsburgh and the future of Pittsburgh (Washington: loans, home)

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

In order for many kids to experience the 'utility and value of the campus experience', they have to dedicate the next 10-20 years to being a debt slave.

Universities, corporations and the federal government are happy with this arrangement, but most of the actual slaves aren't happy with it. The longer this goes on, the more likely alternatives will become popular.

Maybe...but there's still utility and value to a campus experience.

I'd be curious to see what Pitt alums, even recent ones, feel about their student loan debt and compare that to the group at large.

[gg]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

In order for many kids to experience the 'utility and value of the campus experience', they have to dedicate the next 10-20 years to being a debt slave.

Universities, corporations and the federal government are happy with this arrangement, but most of the actual slaves aren't happy with it. The longer this goes on, the more likely alternatives will become popular.

This is VERY well said and really describes the situation perfectly. We are enslaving young people to "live our lifestyle" as the older generation. It is kind of sickening to be honest. It is true however. You can try and bury your head, but it is true and it is best to come to terms with it. Business is what it is all about and NOT education. Remember, there are places like Craigslist and those kind of people are very smart and exist. Don't for one minute think there aren't some amazingly smart minds working on breaking this slavery up. They ARE going to do it. When? I think within 10 years. It might catch on much sooner? Why? I think people will embrace it fast.

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Remember, there are places like Craigslist and those kind of people are very smart and exist.

Curtis, I was wondering if I could put that on a bumper sticker? I've found it particularly enlightening.

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

Business is what it is all about and NOT education.

This proves that you have no actual idea what higher education is all about.

It is precisely this mindset that causing so many of the "evils" that you're constantly railing about.

[gg]

Originally Posted by Lobick

This proves that you have no actual idea what higher education is all about.

It is precisely this mindset that causing so many of the "evils" that you're constantly railing about.

Yeah what would I know? My whole family is Ivy League and I am surrounded by elites all the time. I have no idea? Get with the program. MIT seems to be. Berkley is coming on board. I was just spending time with a professor from Berkley that wanted me and my family to move there because we would "fit in" the other week who was visiting my father a PhD (Princeton) grad. Please. I have a feeling you are too far removed. Start hanging around the younger people. Listen to them. They hate having to be the slaves to the banks. There is a need and the higher learning institutions like Berkley and such are listening. They will be light years ahead of Pitt. CMU will be soon to follow though. Watch and learn my friend. Maybe not tomorrow or even next year, but soon enough I will enjoy the, "I told you so", unless you are 90 and on your deathbed. It is coming. I told you a while back. I know most hate change, but the need is too strong and money is a big motivator. See you latter old style education. Hello U of C Berkley.

[eccotecc]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

In order for many kids to experience the 'utility and value of the campus experience', they have to dedicate the next 10-20 years to being a debt slave.

Universities, corporations and the federal government are happy with this arrangement, but most of the actual slaves aren't happy with it. The longer this goes on, the more likely alternatives will become popular.

Goinback,

It's called an apprenticeship.

[gg]

Originally Posted by Lobick

Curtis, I was wondering if I could put that on a bumper sticker? I've found it particularly enlightening.

Sure. Have you ever read about those folks? Believe me, not all smart people are money driven. They know the money will be enough. Not everyone is a Mark Z. All it takes is a couple of very smart people to say to heck with this, my kid is in 5th grade now. I am going to look out for him and in turn a few hundred thousand others young people. They shouldn't be slaves to banks to let the old folks live out their lives in their greed. Enough! It is going to happen. Well, read that article. That is the start I was talking about.

[eccotecc]

h_curtis,

You are definitely on the right track.

My son recently graduated from a UC here in California with a degree in computer science. Most of the work he did was online. he was constantly writing programs and submitting them online. Research papers were submitted online. Go to any university and you see students sitting in the library working on their laptops.

Do students need to pay big bucks and go into debt when they can be doing the same assignments online from home? I can see where you're coming from and agree education is about to change.

I would like to add that the cost of tuition is inexpensive compared to the cost of room and board. There was a time when college students could find work to help pay for their schooling but in this economy jobs are hard to come by for many students.

[gg]

Originally Posted by eccotecc

h_curtis,

You are definitely on the right track.

My son recently graduated from a UC here in California with a degree in computer science. Most of the work he did was online. he was constantly writing programs and submitting them online. Research papers were submitted online. Go to any university and you see students sitting in the library working on their laptops.

Do students need to pay big bucks and go into debt when they can be doing the same assignments online from home. I can see where you're coming from and agree education is about to change.

Correct. It is about educating our future leaders, not drowning them in debt. It sure sickens me what the generation above me and mine are doing to the young. We want to put them in debt to service our needs. So sick really. It needs to change and change fast. Sure a ton of mediocre professors that... well have no business teaching in the first place will be out of a job. The world needs people to mow lawns and caddie too. The system Will change. I have a feeling faster than I first thought. Why? Some of the big boys are having a look. I don't underestimate MIT and the like. U of C Berkley? Um, please don't underestimate what can happen. These places have big names and makes Pitt's reputation a.... well joke to be honest. Sorry, i know that ins't popular in our region, but you need to be a realist. Pitt isn't MIT. CMU can have a say however.

I hope this plays out to benefit our young folks and they educate themselves and start out NOT as slaves to our greed. That is really sickening me.

[eccotecc]

h_curtis,

Most of my son's professors came from CMU or got their graduate degrees from CMU. Currently the UC's are collaborating with CMU on many research projects.