Tuition is a much bigger issue for most people than something that is just being "worked on." If tuition increases, that can make the difference between whether or not students are able to complete their education. That being said, I believe in setting goals and working towards them; the first step in any direction is still a step, no matter how big or small. Tuition is an issue that needs to be looked at closely, yet any advancements made in lowering it can be significant.
Reply
Tyler Cook
2/18/2014 10:21:11 am
Challenging yourself and putting yourself in financially difficult situations forces you to adapt and conquer. I agree with this quote entirely and think of my tuition as an investment in myself which I know I can't mess up. Set your goals high, aim to be President of the United States that way you're always striving for more no matter what position you're in. In terms of tuition, its a minor obstacle on a much larger financially beneficial scale.
Reply
Kenneth Blacknall
2/18/2014 03:20:40 pm
Tuition is a big thing for many people, as it stops some from going to the the college they want attend, or even going to college at all. Tuition, however, is not just a fee you pay in order to take some classes. It truly is an investment for the future you plan on having after college. Without this investment, it is possible that you may not reach your full potential, financially or professionally. So I do agree with this quote, because good things will happen if you set goals necessary to succeed.
Reply
Sofia Leiva
2/18/2014 09:13:57 pm
Tuition increases have been a big deal for the past few years. I agree with this quote because it not only applies to tuition, it applies to other situations in life. When one sets a goal anne works towards it, good things will happen, because one is getting closer to that goal. Working on a goal for tuition is important to keep the university alive and strong.
Reply
Jake Vowell
2/19/2014 12:07:13 pm
Carolina offers the best value in American public higher education. In fact, Kiplinger's has identified Carolina as the best value every year since 1998. On average, students at Carolina get more for their education than students at any other public university. A large portion of tuition is subsidized by taxpayers because state officials realize that incoming talent should either stay in the state or come to this state. With that said, it is important to note that this university is so strong because of the people. Setting goals is good, but I feel like in this case, Farley may have missed the point. It is essential that he listen to the voice of the people and work hard to establish a specific agenda that all students want to get behind. If you lose track of the importance of increased tuition, then you have not done your job. Carolina students should reach out to university officials, members of student government, and their local state representatives in order to ensure that Carolina remains the best value in public higher education in the country.
Reply
Connor Elledge
2/23/2014 02:04:14 am
As an in-state student, I am thankful for the relatively inexpensive tuition, which will allow me so many opportunities while attending school, and years after I graduate. UNC's tuition is a small price to pay, compared with the benefits the university offers its students. A hike in tuition may mean a hike in the benefits I receive. If I could no longer afford to attend Carolina, then I would take time off from school to work to continue my education.
Reply
Ginger Melton
2/23/2014 03:59:03 am
Goals are great, but wonder if once you set a goal to work towards paying your tuition off debt free, the tuition gets higher? Then you must set another goal. As tuition increases, the cycle continues. I am thankful that I am in-state my parents are paying my college tuition so I do not have to work, but it is not reasonable for them to have to continue to change a "goal" plan for payment when there is so much else for them to worry about.
Reply
Chris Powers
2/23/2014 05:08:27 am
This quote seems to simplify the issue. Tuition hikes raise serious problems for many students. Talking in terms of goals isn't going to alleviate anybody's concerns. When it comes to tuition, people want to see immediate results rather than be assured of the goal-oriented process. While this process is vital, this quote seems to only open up the floor to increased scrutiny about the lack of concrete progress in the tuition challenge.
Reply
Julie Moroney
2/23/2014 11:49:29 am
For me, it’s not so much about agreeing or disagreeing with this quote because it is inherently too vague for me to evaluate in that fashion. What kind of goals is Farley referring to? How is he so sure that merely setting goals will ensure good things will happen? And furthermore, who will benefit from such “good things”? For instance, tuition hikes mean good things for some people—such as raises for professors or expanded course listings—and bad things for other people—like the inability to attend Carolina or the necessity to take on extra loans or part-time jobs. Therefore, I remain unconvinced that a blanket euphemism, like good things, will come about by simply setting goals. As an out-of-state student, I certainly hope the goals Farley referred to are tuition reduction and less disparity between the tuition of in-state and out-of-state students.
Reply
Haley Waxman
2/25/2014 09:44:33 am
I really liked your comment. When I first read this quote I was definitely on the same page as you in that I don't fully agree or disagree with this statement. I was a little bothered by the fact that Farley said setting goals is a good thing. Goals? To what goals is he referring? And I think most students would agree that at this point, goals aren't enough. We appreciate the work that many people are a putting in to help keep our school affordable, but at this point our reputation hinges on upholding the values that we have stood for since the University was founded. Accessibility and affordability are key. Goals are good, but we need to see actions.
Reply
Julianna Hill
2/25/2014 03:33:38 am
Any goals being set to work on the UNC budget are crucial and need to be a priority for the university. Increases in tuition as well as cuts to benefits we receive as students heavily impact our experience at Carolina. I don't mind a change in the hours at Wendy's but when the UL doesn't until 11am on Sunday when I'm studying for midterms...that affects me. Paying close attention to the budget and working to prevent spikes in tuition are essential in continuing the great experience we have as Carolina students.
Reply
Kyle Valente
2/25/2014 08:47:19 pm
Tuition increases are a very serious and complex topic, that our student body president seems to be trying to simplify with this comment. Yes, goals are good but something needs to actually be done about tuition increases, not just set a goal.
Reply
Blake Lessard
2/25/2014 08:56:33 pm
I feel that this comment ended up having a reverse effect on its purpose. Having an "at least you have a goal" mentality is good, but without results it does not matter to anyone else. In terms of tuition, this is even more true. People want to hear something positive, yes. But without immediate results it does not matter.
Reply
James Skinner
3/2/2014 05:54:08 am
I'll be the first guy to admit that goal-setting is highly important to solving complex issues. However, effective goal-setting does not make an issue subject to being "failure proof" in the least. This particular issue is extremely complex and I think that this quote overly simplifies the subject of tuition hikes.
Reply
Mary Stewart Evans
3/2/2014 11:43:48 am
Tuition issues are of course major works in progress and goal setting is crucial to implementing new policies that will benefit the masses. However, it is also an issue of time management. Some people do not have 3 years to wait around for "goal setting" as a means for condoling their financial grievances. There needs to be mini achievements made on an annual basis that appease those who may not necessarily have the time to wait for the ultimate larger goal to come to fruition.
Reply
Amber Younger
4/15/2014 06:59:51 am
A February DTH article included Farley's quote in the context of the student body president campaigns and the candidates' goals concerning tuition. Farley emphasized the president's relationship with administration as well as their dedication to the issue. Knowing this helped me to make more sense of his comment. While I'm sure that a president's persistence regarding the issue is important, I do question if all goals will result in change. I think it is important to have a president who is knowledgeable about the tuition issue and who is able to understand what goals are feasible in light of his or her position and in relation to the process of making tuition changes.
Reply
Taryn Bergeson
4/16/2014 12:54:56 am
I think this quote is great, and I really do think that having a goal and working towards that goal is a productive first step. However, sometimes, I think that this can be a means of acting like this is an important issue for the University, but it does not necessarily mean good things are going to happen. An increase in tuition would be devastating for many, and as a UNC student taking out student loans to pay for college, it means a lot to me know that the University really is taking steps.
Reply
Leave a Reply.
Casey Fidler
Senior double-major in Public Relations and Political Science from Charlotte, N.C.
Adam Norris
Senior public relations and communication studies major from Durham, N.C.
Lauren Gennaro
Senior public relations and political science major from Highlands Ranch, CO.
Mary Reed
Senior Public Relations and Philosophy major from New Bern, N.C.