COLUMN: Matheson’s ‘CARD’ campaign may be best for Utah
Education seems to be at the forefront of this year’s gubernatorial election as Jon Huntsman Jr. and Scott Matheson Jr. square off in the Nov. 2 run-off.
The running of Matheson, the University of Utah’s dean of law, is unique in that few educators currently serve in state office. The running of Huntsman is also unique in that few children of billionaires run for governor.
Many would remember Huntsman’s opponent in the Republican primary, Nolan Karras, seen by many as a champion of public education. In reality though, Karras has little public educational experience. By trade a CPA and investment advisor, his experience comes primarily from his stint as chairman of the Utah State Board of Regents.
For those wondering, the Board of Regents was formed in 1969 to govern Utah’s System of Higher Education. It consists of 16 governor-appointed members that meet about 10 times a year to make most all big decisions regarding Utah universities.
If you are concerned about tuition increases, it is not USU administration that decides, but rather the Board of Regents. If the university needs to construct a new building, they go to the Board of Regents for approval.
Of course, we’re not really building much lot these days – USU’s new Cadillac of a library being the exception. No, rather than building, it seems like these days, we’re cutting.
To combat such a problem, Matheson has proposed a new “CARB” diet. That being, “Cut All Redundant Bureaucracy.” The state is most certainly cutting, but at times, I wonder if it’s the bureaucracy that we’re really cutting.
For example, at a Board of Regents meeting last year, it was suggested that the state do away with the 12th grade to shift funds from public education to higher education. That proposal was quickly rejected.
Maybe it’s just me, but instead of cutting the 12th grade, couldn’t we start by cutting, say, the Utah State Board of Regents?
If you’re looking for checks and balances, doesn’t the state legislature provide that? Why the added fluff? Both bodies are made up of primarily businessmen.
Then again, does it concern anyone else that the majority of educational decisions are made primarily by businessmen?
Approximately 60 percent of Utah’s Legislature is composed of businessmen and women. Far behind with just 9 percent, educators and farmers/ranchers are tied in second.
Granted, business sense is absolutely necessary if the state is to function and perform on budget. But sometimes I wonder if education is considered secondary.
Take, for example the state’s stressing of online education. At USU, online courses have also taken on an ever-increasing role in students’ educations. But is that the answer?
I took an online course this summer. Granted, my experience may have been isolated, but I felt somewhat deprived. I got an easy grade which I’m afraid many students get. Easy grades, an easy education, at little cost to the state. But, I didn’t learn much. With little to no professor-to-student interaction, nor any student-to-student contact, the course is cost-effective, but in my opinion, educationally deficient.
Why not just give high school graduates a big pile of books, tell them to study up, then test them four years later before awarding diplomas?
Or look at the special attention and scholarships given to high school students who expedite part of the college process by graduating from high school while at the same time obtaining an Associates Degree. Or how about the proposal to charge students with too many credits higher tuition so they’ll hurry up their education? Heaven forbid, I decide to change my major.
The ideas are drenched with business sense. Lots of students in less time with fewer professors translates into less cost to the state.
The whole theory tends to portray education as a necessary evil. Yes, do it, but do it as fast as you can, so that you can go out into the real world.
That’s why the thought of Matheson as governor intrigues me. For the last 20 years the state has been governed by businessmen and women. The last time an educator served as Utah’s top man was when George D. Clyde was first elected in 1957. Clyde, like Matheson was a college dean. He joined the USU faculty in 1923 and later would serve as its dean of engineering from 1935-1945.
Maybe I’m just idealistic but who better to represent Utah’s educational interests than an educator?
Heck, Matheson was a Rhodes Scholar so he’s got to be smart. Right?
Let’s hope so.
Jon Cox is a junior majoring in journalism. Comments can be sent to jcox@cc.usu.edu.