Accepting the ‘Southern-ness’ of it all

As a graduating senior (FINALLY), I’ve come to look at Southern as both a gift and a curse. While we can argue, rumble, and fight over an override for an independent study until May 15, no one can say that Southern isn’t an…interesting school to attend.
These days, a list of reasons why SU is a gift is harder to find than many of the canceled 150 plus courses. The culture of this historic HBCU, the unique students, the fascinating rivalry with ‘the school up the road,’ use to make attending Southern worth it, but these days. I just want to be able to come to class and see a jittery professor at the board, sheepishly attempting communication with his or her students for the first time in light of recent budget cuts and firings.
It came as no surprise to no one, lest of all me, that the nation was heading into a serious recession, even though gas prices had fallen to the days of yore (2004) when one could purchase gas, food and go out to a club before 11 p.m. on $20. It was also no surprise that when I sat down months ago to schedule my last undergraduate schedule that two of my courses were offered on the same day.
At the same time.
Only once.
After crying, ranting about it to whoever would listen, and finally accepting the ‘Southern-ness’ of it all, I realized that some things would never change.
Yes, this semester, and more than likely in those to come, course offerings will slim down to that of bare-necessity for students, causing them to jump at the chance to enroll in any class while they can. But is this fair to students?
And yes, I get that with nationwide budget cuts that trickle down to statewide budget cuts dictate what measures must be taken to protect the business—read: college or university—at all costs, it seems that the students get the brunt of the sharp-knife of our higher education dreams.
While it shames me to ask: would I have faced these problems at ‘another’ school? Would I have been penalized for lack of student enrollment, thus canceling and limiting the class times to ensure that I have some say in my pre-determined course curriculum?
Have you noticed by now that my sarcasm is yet another defense mechanism to keep from running down Scenic Highway screaming into the night?
When will it dawn on anyone that these days, college isn’t for students?
Normally, I would have a joke, a solution, a cleaver comeback to rationalize the current situation, but I don’t. All I have is an intense desire to graduate without once looking back when I get a letter requesting I join the Alumni Federation and pay dues. Why should I? Where’s my refund check? How long will you hold it hostage while I continue to attend classes where our teacher is ‘STAFF’ on the schedule?
Until I see otherwise, SU will remain a curse.