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Show College status is best classification for Weber andSUSC Changing the names of Weber State College and Southern Utah State College to universities, a proposal now being considered by the Utah State Legislature, would be a mistake at this time. Because 'university" is a broader term with implied programs such as graduate divisions, professional schools, master's degrees, doctorates and research centers understood as part of the name, some changes in the structure of WSC and SUSC would have to take place if these schools were to assume minimum university uni-versity functions. By offering university programs, it is logical that liberal arts and vocational programs would be dropped or restructured. This would be harmful to everyone. Both WSC and SUSC have highly successful college programs that appeal to traditional and non-traditional non-traditional students. If these programs are lost, where would the students who arc now being served in these areas go for training? Specifically, what would happen to WSC's automotive training program that is now being funded by General Motors and Toyoto? Would the relationship of the WSC nursing program with the vocational schools and the U. of U. continue, or would these separate institutions become highly "territorial" at the expense ex-pense of nursing students and the health care profession that is experiencing a shortage of trained professionals? We all need frequent reminding that 80 percent of the work force in Utah do not need a college education. What is needed is vocational and technical training. What about funding? Much has been said about the underfun-ding underfun-ding of public school teachers and programs. The funding of our state colleges and universities is as critical, if not more critical, than the funding of the public schools. A visit to the U. of U. or any other state school makes you instantly aware of many serious needs that are already impacting the quality of education being offered at our universities. The creation of two more universities would compound this problem. There would be four schools, rather than two, competing com-peting for grants and dollars that are appropriated only to universities. univer-sities. The impact of another university along the Wasatch Front would be felt by USU and the U. of U. Over the years, classes offered in Davis County by the state's universities have become fewer in number as Weber State has grown and absorbed students who formerly attended extension classes offered in Davis County by these universities. Just recently, USU closed its extension program pro-gram at Hill Air Force Base because of underfunding. This left a void for many students who were hoping to receive a graduate degree from USU without commuting to Logan. Even the positive image of being a university city the Ogden Area Chamber of Commerce hopes to achieve through the creation crea-tion of Weber University would be negated if the school were unable to provide quality programs at all levels including a strong graduate school. Opponents of the creation of additional state universities say this move would reduce the diversity among state institutions and add more costly programs at a time when funds are already at a rninimura This is a fair assessment of the situation. State legislators should be notified that it would be unwise to convert two top-level colleges into weak universities. No one could possibly benefit from the change. All higher-education institutions in-stitutions in the state would lose as the competition for a very small budget, top students, and programs would over-shadow the real mission of colleges and universities that is fairly well defined under the present system. The editor invites and welcomes letters for publication pub-lication in these columns. However, they must be signed and also bear the writer's address and telephone number. There is a limit of two per month from any one contributor and letters will not be printed without including the writer's name. The length should not exceed 500 words. i 1 |