P.E. Major

[RedSeaElite1]

But thats what my generation does. We take out tons in loans to go away to private schools for four years (sometimes more) and then get pissed that we chose a major that has a starting salary of less than half of what we owe. We feel that the government should take care of this instead of forcing us to live within our financial means. It is a proven fact that if you go to community college for the first two years or attend a state school (other than U of I) you can save boat loads of money which is the smartest route for lower paying majors...

[Future Walk-On]

But thats what my generation does. We take out tons in loans to go away to private schools for four years (sometimes more) and then get pissed that we chose a major that has a starting salary of less than half of what we owe. We feel that the government should take care of this instead of forcing us to live within our financial means. It is a proven fact that if you go to community college for the first two years or attend a state school (other than U of I) you can save boat loads of money which is the smartest route for lower paying majors...

Maybe students loans is taboo...but most of the kids I was close at BU gave me the indication their parents are paying for schooling....so that could explain people not afraid to attend BU and major in low paying courses of study.

Stereotyping here...but the suburbs seem to be a location where many Bradley students come from and many appear to be well off.

[Future Walk-On]

This argument is also hilarious...

No one here is anti-academics or anti-men's basketball

We all know the core of this institution is academics....but we also know that in this day and age... having a strictly academic agenda isn't going to get our basketball team to the final four....

is that fair?

[RedSeaElite1]

Maybe students loans is taboo...but most of the kids I was close at BU gave me the indication their parents are paying for schooling....so that could explain people not afraid to attend BU and major in low paying courses of study.

Stereotyping here...but the suburbs seem to be a location where many Bradley students come from and many appear to be well off.

Yes and no, I am fortunate enough to have my parents contributing a lot to my education and i received a few merit scholarships, but i know people on campus that are $100k+ in debt and are going to be starting in jobs that will barely make $35k a year.

[ph]

Yes and no, I am fortunate enough to have my parents contributing a lot to my education and i received a few merit scholarships, but i know people on campus that are $100k+ in debt and are going to be starting in jobs that will barely make $35k a year.

Dang..
1) we need a realization that not all student loan debt is good debt (and FYI, federal student loan debt is not bankruptable, its with you till death)
2) perhaps some resemblance of loan underwriting may be a good thing..at least approve loans no more than 100% of average starting pay for that major.. But then again, the only thing worse than a medical Dr with student loans, is the med school dropout who is basically ruined for life.

But back on topic, why do we need the PE major for recruits. Is it the easier path to graduation? Or is it the lack of transferable credits from Jucos? Because for #2, a minor that ties into physical therapy, or a sports management angle that ties into the College of Business may help.

[BUBalum05]

Dang..
1) we need a realization that not all student loan debt is good debt (and FYI, federal student loan debt is not bankruptable, its with you till death)
2) perhaps some resemblance of loan underwriting may be a good thing..at least approve loans no more than 100% of average starting pay for that major.. But then again, the only thing worse than a medical Dr with student loans, is the med school dropout who is basically ruined for life.

Totally agree that student loans should be harder to get when pursuing an under marketable degree.
While Psychology is a fascinating science, unless you're planning to go on to become a school psychologist or psychatrist, there is little use to the major other than provide a certificate that someone can learn after 4 years of paying a lot of money. I know a few psych majors that are now in sales because it was their only option, yet there are still tons of kids majoring in psych. Many other LAS majors, while necessary for a well rounded undergraduate degree, do not translate into marketable jobs and skills. Schools really need to cap LAS majors while better integrating those subjects into business, engineering, and education curriculum.

[alczervik75]

I totally agree. Although I would recommend Bradley to any prospective student, I think everyone needs to assess the cost of their education versus the field they're entering. Paying back $100k in student loans on a $35k/yr salary seems crazy to me.

This would be the case for most all education majors, however. They all join the same Union and make the same pay at the elementary and High School level. Coaching can allow them to make more. While I wouldn't bank on it being the same in 40 years, considering pensions many teachers have very, very secure lifestyles. I know in my small town High School, the teachers with 30 year experience (including PE) are making about a $100k in a low cost of living are and have a pension that will pay them 80% of that for life. If you can retire at 65 with that guaranteed pension, it's not much different than having retired with $1,000,000 401k.

Now, you can make an argument that it makes more sense to get your eduction in these areas at a state school that costs less, but that case can be made about many majors.

Also, although I'm thankful to be very secure financially today, my first job out of school in the late 90's with an accounting degree was in the $25k range. I know several people with advanced degrees that don't have high starting salaries today, that doesn't mean they won't develop into workers with salaries comfortably into the six figures.

[alczervik75]

Dang..


But back on topic, why do we need the PE major for recruits. Is it the easier path to graduation? Or is it the lack of transferable credits from Jucos? Because for #2, a minor that ties into physical therapy, or a sports management angle that ties into the College of Business may help.

I really, really doubt we've lost many, if any, players because of this. I know our High School Basketball, football and golf coach taught things other than PE. Bradley offers plenty of majors which aren't overly challenging, and adequate academic help to basketball players. I can see a transfer situation, where the player already had a couple years of PE credits and had their heart set on it. Still, in most cases, they have 5 years at that point and may look at other majors.

To say it a different way, I would guess if the coaching staff was asked for ways the administration could better support the success of basketball team, adding PE would not be an item they had better on their list of a use of resources.

[real fan]

I really, really doubt we've lost many, if any, players because of this. I know our High School Basketball, football and golf coach taught things other than PE. Bradley offers plenty of majors which aren't overly challenging, and adequate academic help to basketball players. I can see a transfer situation, where the player already had a couple years of PE credits and had their heart set on it. Still, in most cases, they have 5 years at that point and may look at other majors.

To say it a different way, I would guess if the coaching staff was asked for ways the administration could better support the success of basketball team, adding PE would not be an item they had better on their list of a use of resources.

I trust what Coach Stowell told me a few years ago and according to him we have lost out on potential recruits and some pretty good ones, we are definitely at a disadvantage because of this and still do not understand what the big deal is about reinstating PE, if we are going to spend enormous amounts of money on athletics and new facilities then we need to level the playing field.

[Old Coach]

It would be a lot easier to get DeShawn Delaney if he could major in PE at Bradley.