After reading yet another article stressing Jacksonville State University’s desire for 10,000 students, I felt I had to comment. Why is JSU so concerned with this number?
Is it something to do with pride? If so, what happened to quality over quantity? Is JSU trying to compete with the biggest schools in the state?
As a JSU graduate, I’m seriously bothered by this continued focus on a number. I have many friends who teach and work at JSU, and each one has told me JSU is no longer anything close to the once-proud title of Friendliest Campus in the South.
I know many great universities around the country that have far fewer than 10,000 students. Why is JSU so locked in on this? Is it needed to pay for the new football stadium? Is it to allow the Board of Trustees and JSU backers the chance to stick out their chests at gatherings, boasting of being members of the 10,000 Club? I would not recommend JSU to a new student, and that’s sad.
David White
Weaver
