Apparently that dumb-dumb Shaka Smart believes vcu's practice facility will make a big difference in their recruiting. ..........
They're using $10.5 million in student fees to help fund their building. Why we can't (or won't) do the same is beyond me.
FWIW, here's my "take" on the issue (Cliff's Notes version):
-States are contributing less to higher ed; used to cover around 60-70% of the cost of education; now it's about 30%
-Causes tuition rates to increase to maintain quality;college tuition increases at higher rate than inflation; more of a load on the individual student.
-Students take on greater debt.
-Bad job market; graduates having harder time paying off loans.
-Spate of articles in the last few years re: "Is a college education worth it?" (my answer--"yes it still is")
-Greater effort by many states and universities to limit the size of tuition increases (including student "fees").
-Mason adopts "Accessibility" as one of 4 parts of its "IDEA" mission statement guided by President Cabrera (Innovation, Diversity, Entrepreneurial are the other 3).
-In order to help Mason become more affordable (thus accessible) there is resistance to substantial raises in fees, especially for things like football and likely practice facilities for basketball. That's why I said earlier that if this is going to happen, a big donor is needed .
Obviously vcu hasn't taken the same stance.