When Western President Bruce Shepard gave his mid-year report on February 12, he spoke about the future of Western. He left a question for the entire university to ponder before the much-anticipated budget cuts slammed down like an axe on a chopping block.

According to Shepard’s speech from the office of the President, he said, “When we say we will become the best, we cannot begin to figure how until we have agreed on 'the best of what?'  Here, Shepard implied to the university what needs to stay and what can be let go.

Now that the university has approved the operating budget for next year, certain upper-division classes, which make Western unique, are not going to be given priority and are considered expendable since enrollment in these classes is lower then expected.

The university cannot afford technical staff and teaching assistant support, which is needed to sustain upper-division classes, geology professor Bernie Housen said. Shepard emphasized the importance of getting everyone's involvment in Western to share their concerns and comments about how cutting courses can impact the university's culture during his mid-year report and many listening sessions.

The administration needs to know what classes students look forward to and which classes play an integral part in students’ majors or concentrations.

Upper-division classes give Western students a chance to differentiate themselves from others in their search for a job. Western will not stand apart from other universities as they rid the curriculum of unique upper-division classes and will lose its appeal to prospective students.

It does not do the university any good when students accept budget cuts with the mindset that they cannot make an impact. Hearing the phrase “budget process” over and over again, a phrase that has come up frequently in the last few months, can turn people off.  If students had a louder voice concerning the ramifications of the cuts, such as what classes may or may not be available, Western could uphold its quality of education. Students must rise up and let the administration know what classes they want Western to offer and what they are willing to sacrifice.

Understandably, the process of cutting anything is grueling, but maybe it means the student body needs to give up some of the student services people are so afraid to get rid of in order to preserve classes—the place where students actually learn.

Western will lose the opportunity to become a heralded university with a range of diverse classes, which add to this unique culture. The future of Western is being decided now.

The Editorial Board is comprised of the Editor-in-Chief Brynn Regan, Managing Editor Ashley Mitchell, Opinion Editor Dan Balmer and community member-at-large Simon Davis-Cohen.

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