“Are We Losing Our Cents at UB?

With two blackouts behind us, a serious deficit of school pride and a teetering balance of school sympathizers and cynical UB rebels, the future of the school seems somewhat unclear. According to the Connecticut Post, The University of Bridgeport has just recently escaped a 22 million dollar deficit, of which was reportedly accumulated through deindustrialization as well as the deterioration of the immediate neighborhood behind UB. As of today, students who were here prior to 2005 have discerned a difference. “I’ve noticed a big difference in the class sizes. I had to bring a chair from one of the other rooms just to sit in the packed class,” stated one UB sophomore. Dozens of students say they have notice a change in some of the dorms. For instance one UB Junior told me, “I see they painted in Bodine, but it’s not like they fixed the lounges up.” Students view on the value they receive for their room and board expenses don’t vary very much. No hot water, terrible cleaning standards, and tons of problems with maintenance tell tale a serious discontent in the dorms. According to polls students are not very pleased with a number of the services they are receiving at UB The question was posed, “Do you feel that the money you are paying to attend UB is worth what you are getting?” 19% said yes, absolutely their experiences were worth the cost, while an astounding 47% said no, that they were being ripped off. The stats reflect an ongoing issue within the University, how will the school maintain financial stability, basically stay afloat, and still provide fair and adequately priced tuition, room and board at UB? According to Collegeboard.com, tuition at The University of Bridgeport remains at a staggering $20,995 dollars. Roughly the same as it costs to attend, Sacred Heart University, University of New England, or the University of New Heaven. I asked several students if they felt they were receiving the same level of education as they would at those universities. One transfer student, David said, “Yes, I feel I’m receiving an adequate level of education compared to surrounding schools, we have great professors here at UB. However, I don’t agree with the cost of attendance, I think it should be more affordable for students.” Every student on campus has their own reason for attending UB. Depending on their major and the programs they attend the students responses varied. IPED and Chiropractic students seemed especially content with their situation, however, these were select instances. Freshman and General Education students seemed to be the most discontent. However, it was difficult to find any individual student who was willing to have their name printed. I spoke with Elena Rivera of Sodexho Food Corp., she has been serving students in Marina dining hall for over 20 years. “I love this school, its had some problems in the past but it has great students, great teachers and great programs.” When I asked her what the students thought about the school she stated, “Most of them like it, or else they wouldn’t be here.” Other professors refrained from commenting on how they felt about the school, although an underling tone of inadequacy of facilities was felt.
As of this year, financially, The University of Bridgeport is expected to be officially in the green. As for the student moral, school services, and campus pride, we may not see a rise for some time.