[Physltest] [Phys-L] Re: Concerned over costs (was Mac vs. PC )

[Richard Tarara <rbtarara@SPRYNET.COM>]

> Well, I can't speak to the facilities at Whatsamatta U, but I think
> there are precious few high schools that fit your description. There
> may be some, but if there are I have never seen any. Most high
> schools of my acquaintance are falling apart from lack of adequate
> funds just to maintain what they've got, let alone get anything new.
> Even new high schools in our area are far from palatial. They look
> nicer because they haven't been around long enough to deteriorate,
> and they did get the equipment that was on the market at the time, so
> it is usually a cut above older schools, but they aren't going to get
> any upgrades soon and within a few years they will be looking like
> the rest of the schools.

Well the HS situation is pretty common around here (Indiana).  The most
palatial public schools are in rich suburban areas, but some newer city
schools are not far behind.  In smaller communities the High Schools are
regional and therefore BIG and newer ones tend to get the 'full treatment'.
Part of this is probably the structure of finances in this state where
there are totally separate monies for the building of schools and the
running of schools, but I think if you would look around the 'richer'
school districts throughout the country you'll see the same trend.  Private
colleges really do want to recruit students who can actually pay the
tuition so the bulk of the recruiting is focused on these areas, (private
high schools too, of course) but then the colleges ARE faced with the
'keeping up with the Jones' problem outlined earlier.
The recruiters can only get so far in the selling of 'software' (faculty).
The 'hardware' (facilities) are important as well.

[A few years ago my wife had a conference at Yale.  One of the first things
she remarked on, upon returning, was how dirty the campus seemed to her.]\

Rick
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