LAST THURSDAY, Murray Sperber, an Indiana University English professor, spoke in Jefferson Hall about how undergraduate education has deteriorated due to a subculture of athletics and alcohol. Sperber's observations have merit and the University may be heading down the road he predicts.
Sperber was in town touting his new book, "Beer and Circus," in which he makes the claim that large state universities care primarily about research and therefore cannot offer undergraduates a good education. He claims that, in order to placate the undergraduates, universities provide students with "beer and circus," where an alcohol-based culture revolves around Division I sports. Sperber admits that the University appears to be an exception to the rule. But regardless there are still troubling signs that the University may be moving in the direction of having such a culture.
Sperber, recently the subject of much controversy due to his quest to get former Indiana University men's basketball coach Bobby Knight fired, believes that large classes at state universities are a result of caring only about research. But at the University this is simply not true. We certainly have large classes and a lack of either professors or classes in many departments. The reason for these conditions is not that the University over emphasizes research, but rather that it lacks money. Due to an in-state tuition cap and an overly stingy state government, the University simply cannot afford to hire more faculty in departments that need them.
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The University does continue to have a robust fraternity scene, and alcohol is rather prevalent. The reasons for this aren't entirely clear. Many say that the University's fairly high consumption of alcohol is a result of the fact that this once was an all-male school and the myth of the hard drinking "good old boys" carries on. There's also the argument that all college campuses have a prevalent alcohol culture and the University is no exception.
Regardless of the reason, alcohol plays a major role in the social life of the University. This can be further attributed to the fraternity scene, where it's not a party unless kegs of Natty Light or Beast are flowing. Sperber does have a good point here. But imagine if the fraternity scene didn't exist at the University and the campus was completely dry. The University's supposedly excellent education probably wouldn't lure the same number of applicants that it does now.
The University certainly has Division I sports, and its students enthusiastically support the teams - as evidenced by students camping out for at least a week to get into some basketball games this winter. Athletics at the University is at a particularly high point. The renovations to Scott Stadium were finally completed this year, and a new basketball stadium will be built within the next few years. The football team has a new coach, and the men's basketball team is coming off of its most exciting season in recent memory.
But there are some troubling things to ponder. Why is the University replacing University Hall and not Cabell Hall? U-Hall does need to be replaced. It's too small and is in a state of disrepair. But Cabell Hall is in even worse shape. It's is the main building of the College of Arts and Sciences, yet it's falling apart. The alumni have not put together a campaign to replace Cabell Hall - perhaps because Cabell Hall doesn't generate athletic revenues.
Students and professors are forced to endure the building because they have no other choice. Anyone who has ever gone on a tour of the University should pay attention to the fact that the guides never show prospective students Cabell Hall. They point out the dining hall and the libraries and spend lots of time looking at the Lawn. Unfortunately, the Rotunda does not hold classes, so despite the fact that it's the spiritual center of Grounds, it won't contribute to your education as academic buildings do.
The University appears to be headed in the wrong direction, but instead of this being a result of Sperber's "beer and circus," much of this is a result of inadequate funding. Luckily, the University has many social outlets - be they alcohol or athletics related, that provide a good balance with the top academics here. Unfortunately, should poor funding continue, this top academic reputation will not last forever. Once the prestige is gone, the party is over.
(Harris Freier is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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