Temple's Multi-Million Dollar Library is amazing

**cewillm** · 05-24-2012, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

They're not going to. (Although honestly Wachmann needs an exterior facelift as much as it needs an interior one.)

Eh.. it has outdated, inefficient windows but aside from that I don't see what could be done to it. The building is designed to resemble a 70s punchcard.

**philaman01** · 07-14-2012, 10:30 PM

FYI, Temple's Paley Library used to have a 'music listening room' in the basement of the building. Basically, they had a *gigantic* record collection with the most obscure artists you could ever think of filed under an index card catalog system. Keep in mind this was in 1990-91, a little before the digital revolution. The clerk would give you the record and you would take it to an empty turn-table, put on the headphones, and listen for as long as you wanted.

On the first floor of Paley were the state of the art IBM 386/486 computers where students could either type-up papers or browse the USENET boards (keep in mind this was before the first graphic browser: Mosaic). First come, first-served.

I remember trying to find a quiet room to study at Paley, but I'd be hard pressed because people would go there to eat lunch, play paper football, and do class work.

**Jtom** · 07-15-2012, 01:35 AM

Please Temple University, stop spending millions on needless construction. If there is so much extra money available, then maybe it's time lower the sky-high tuition rates (around $13,000 per year for in-state students). Every time I see the local universities in Philly building something shiny and new, I get a sickening feeling in my stomach. In this economy, if they're paying millions and millions on construction, then we know college has officially become a rip-off.

Please Temple, stop trying to improve the surrounding neighborhood. Most Temple students and their parents couldn't care less about "North Philadelphia Central." They care much more about saving money and getting a degree. Focus on the education and affordability. Stop trying to become an "elite" school. We already have Penn in the city and Princeton in NJ, along with a slew of expensive private schools. In other words, know your role, Temple.

**Smooth Sailor** · 07-15-2012, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Jtom

Please Temple University, stop spending millions on needless construction. If there is so much extra money available, then maybe it's time lower the sky-high tuition rates (around $13,000 per year for in-state students). Every time I see the local universities in Philly building something shiny and new, I get a sickening feeling in my stomach. In this economy, if they're paying millions and millions on construction, then we know college has officially become a rip-off.

Please Temple, stop trying to improve the surrounding neighborhood. Most Temple students and their parents couldn't care less about "North Philadelphia Central." They care much more about saving money and getting a degree. Focus on the education and affordability. Stop trying to become an "elite" school. We already have Penn in the city and Princeton in NJ, along with a slew of expensive private schools. In other words, know your role, Temple.

This is a joke, right?

**Jtom** · 07-15-2012, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Smooth Sailor

This is a joke, right?

Not at all.

**Smooth Sailor** · 07-15-2012, 11:35 AM

So you get sick to your stomach at the thought of building a new library (for Temple students, as well as the surrounding community) and want to stop trying to improve the quality of life in North Philly?

**Smooth Sailor** · 07-15-2012, 11:38 AM

And as for "sky high" tuition- perhaps you'd prefer living over the bridge, where you can pay $24k per year to attend Rutgers?

**thoth** · 07-15-2012, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Jtom

Please Temple University, stop spending millions on needless construction. If there is so much extra money available, then maybe it's time lower the sky-high tuition rates (around $13,000 per year for in-state students). Every time I see the local universities in Philly building something shiny and new, I get a sickening feeling in my stomach. In this economy, if they're paying millions and millions on construction, then we know college has officially become a rip-off.

Please Temple, stop trying to improve the surrounding neighborhood. Most Temple students and their parents couldn't care less about "North Philadelphia Central." They care much more about saving money and getting a degree. Focus on the education and affordability. Stop trying to become an "elite" school. We already have Penn in the city and Princeton in NJ, along with a slew of expensive private schools. In other words, know your role, Temple.

There's always CCP.

Good thing you're not a university president, or business owner. Shoot for the middle is your motto, I guess.

**Naveen** · 07-15-2012, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Jtom

Please Temple University, stop spending millions on needless construction. If there is so much extra money available, then maybe it's time lower the sky-high tuition rates (around $13,000 per year for in-state students). Every time I see the local universities in Philly building something shiny and new, I get a sickening feeling in my stomach. In this economy, if they're paying millions and millions on construction, then we know college has officially become a rip-off.

Please Temple, stop trying to improve the surrounding neighborhood. Most Temple students and their parents couldn't care less about "North Philadelphia Central." They care much more about saving money and getting a degree. Focus on the education and affordability. Stop trying to become an "elite" school. We already have Penn in the city and Princeton in NJ, along with a slew of expensive private schools. In other words, know your role, Temple.

I'd actually agree with this except for the fact that Temple's neighborhood improvement is a fundamental necessity. It's true that a lot of schools waste too much money on new buildings, more administration, etc. at the expense of tuition, all for negligible quality benefit to the students. But it's no fun going to school in a bad neighborhood, and Temple's area improvement is a tangible benefit to the students.

**Jtom** · 07-15-2012, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Smooth Sailor

So you get sick to your stomach at the thought of building a new library (for Temple students, as well as the surrounding community) and want to stop trying to improve the quality of life in North Philly?

From what I understand, there is already a library. In my opinion, it is not Temple's place to improve the quality of life in North Philly. How about helping the group of people who pay you thousands of dollars (hint: it's not the neighbors)? Temple should be focused on the students who pay an insane amount of money. Perhaps Temple should throw their students a bone and decrease tuition before considering multi-million dollar projects.

And as for "sky high" tuition- perhaps you'd prefer living over the bridge, where you can pay $24k per year to attend Rutgers?

The price of higher education is a problem across the nation. For me at least, 13k per year is still a whole lot of money.

There's always CCP

Good thing you're not a university president, or business owner. Shoot for the middle is your motto, I guess.

Listen, not every school can be Ivy League quality (or money). Temple shouldn't be focusing their money on building flashy buildings to impress people (which they are only doing in the hope of reaching into their wallets). Temple is getting more applications now than ever because of the affordability factor. They should enforce that by lowering the tuition, and making the tuition gap between privates like Drexel and La Salle even greater. Sometimes in business, you have to realize you niche. Temple's niche is being a relatively low cost but still quality 4-year option for students. In these financial times, if Temple is able to fill this role on the college landscape, they will get more and more applications.

**mixiboi** · 07-15-2012, 06:35 PM

If only it was that simple....Lower tuition or advancements in the schools appearance and technology, which one will make future students go to that school?

If you say the school with 1970 equipment and buildings...you be surprise how much appearance is everything when it comes to picking schools..not price...

**BarryG** · 07-15-2012, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Jtom

From what I understand, there is already a library. In my opinion, it is not Temple's place to improve the quality of life in North Philly. How about helping the group of people who pay you thousands of dollars (hint: it's not the neighbors)? Temple should be focused on the students who pay an insane amount of money. Perhaps Temple should throw their students a bone and decrease tuition before considering multi-million dollar projects.

The price of higher education is a problem across the nation. For me at least, 13k per year is still a whole lot of money.

Listen, not every school can be Ivy League quality (or money). Temple shouldn't be focusing their money on building flashy buildings to impress people (which they are only doing in the hope of reaching into their wallets). Temple is getting more applications now than ever because of the affordability factor. They should enforce that by lowering the tuition, and making the tuition gap between privates like Drexel and La Salle even greater. Sometimes in business, you have to realize you niche. Temple's niche is being a relatively low cost but still quality 4-year option for students. In these financial times, if Temple is able to fill this role on the college landscape, they will get more and more applications.

Given the record applications and the fact that Temple is still a tremendous value compared to the competition, I'd say they understand their niche pretty well.

**justinc848** · 07-15-2012, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jtom

From what I understand, there is already a library. In my opinion, it is not Temple's place to improve the quality of life in North Philly. How about helping the group of people who pay you thousands of dollars (hint: it's not the neighbors)? Temple should be focused on the students who pay an insane amount of money. Perhaps Temple should throw their students a bone and decrease tuition before considering multi-million dollar projects.

The price of higher education is a problem across the nation. For me at least, 13k per year is still a whole lot of money.

Listen, not every school can be Ivy League quality (or money). Temple shouldn't be focusing their money on building flashy buildings to impress people (which they are only doing in the hope of reaching into their wallets). Temple is getting more applications now than ever because of the affordability factor. They should enforce that by lowering the tuition, and making the tuition gap between privates like Drexel and La Salle even greater. Sometimes in business, you have to realize you niche. Temple's niche is being a relatively low cost but still quality 4-year option for students. In these financial times, if Temple is able to fill this role on the college landscape, they will get more and more applications.

If price is the only criterion by which you choose a school, Pa has several which are cheaper than Temple. West Chester, Kutztown, and Millersville are a few. Temple is attempting to transform itself and the neighborhood into something great. If you'd like a cheaper option, they are still available. Also, $13k a year is not earth shattering. The issue is parents allowing their children to major in subjects that will not allow the student to become self sufficient and simultaneously failing to save 2 nickels through 18 years.

I applaud what Temple has done. It is becoming much more than a backup plan and as a Temple grad and a proud Philadelphian, I'm happy to see both doing well.

**Smooth Sailor** · 07-16-2012, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Jtom

From what I understand, there is already a library. In my opinion, it is not Temple's place to improve the quality of life in North Philly. How about helping the group of people who pay you thousands of dollars (hint: it's not the neighbors)? Temple should be focused on the students who pay an insane amount of money. Perhaps Temple should throw their students a bone and decrease tuition before considering multi-million dollar projects.

It's not Temple's job to provide handouts to the neighbors, but why would they not want to clean up the area surrounding the campus? Why do you think Penn decided to buy all of the land it could and improve that area of West Philly? I don't understand what you think would happen if Temple didn't build these "flashy" buildings or stopped caring about the appearance or safety in the surrounding neighborhood, but it would be nothing more than an inner city community college and nobody would care about the cost of tuition because the degree would be worth nothing.

**thoth** · 07-16-2012, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Jtom

Listen, not every school can be Ivy League quality (or money). Temple shouldn't be focusing their money on building flashy buildings to impress people (which they are only doing in the hope of reaching into their wallets). Temple is getting more applications now than ever because of the affordability factor. They should enforce that by lowering the tuition, and making the tuition gap between privates like Drexel and La Salle even greater. Sometimes in business, you have to realize you niche. Temple's niche is being a relatively low cost but still quality 4-year option for students. In these financial times, if Temple is able to fill this role on the college landscape, they will get more and more applications.

You're acting like Temple is struggling to attract students or cash. It's not.

$13k/yr tuition isn't reaching for "Ivy League" status. There are prep schools that are more expensive than that. They froze their tuition this year. Tuition isn't even where most of a Uni's money comes from.

They almost went bankrupt under Liacouras trying to fill the "niche" of being a cheap school that would take anyone. Why does Temple need to fill a niche now? Because you said so? Try throwing an "I think..." in there.

**Sharkfood** · 07-16-2012, 10:39 PM

The new library is paid for by a separate capital appropriation from the state. I don't believe it impacts tuition.
What does impact tuition are the inflated salaries of faculty and top administrators. Is it really necessary for bill bergman to make $465,000 -- far more than the mayor or any city official is paid???

**Jtom** · 07-17-2012, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by BarryG

Given the record applications and the fact that Temple is still a tremendous value compared to the competition, I'd say they understand their niche pretty well.

I guess they are filling the niche. 13k in my mind is too much, but it's a fraction of what schools like La Salle and Drexel are charging.

You're acting like Temple is struggling to attract students or cash. It's not.

$13k/yr tuition isn't reaching for "Ivy League" status. There are prep schools that are more expensive than that. They froze their tuition this year. Tuition isn't even where most of a Uni's money comes from.

They almost went bankrupt under Liacouras trying to fill the "niche" of being a cheap school that would take anyone. Why does Temple need to fill a niche now? Because you said so? Try throwing an "I think..." in there.

Obviously, my post is my own opinion. I used the word "should" to indicate what I believe Temple should do. Now, if I said "Temple have to..." you would have a point. There's no need to say "I think..."

And it doesn't seem like any universities are struggling for cash. Most of them have had non-stop construction going on throughout the recession. And no wonder with the crazy tuition rates.

**hammersklavier** · 07-17-2012, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by Jtom

Please Temple University, stop spending millions on needless construction. If there is so much extra money available, then maybe it's time lower the sky-high tuition rates (around $13,000 per year for in-state students). Every time I see the local universities in Philly building something shiny and new, I get a sickening feeling in my stomach. In this economy, if they're paying millions and millions on construction, then we know college has officially become a rip-off.

Please Temple, stop trying to improve the surrounding neighborhood. Most Temple students and their parents couldn't care less about "North Philadelphia Central." They care much more about saving money and getting a degree. Focus on the education and affordability. Stop trying to become an "elite" school. We already have Penn in the city and Princeton in NJ, along with a slew of expensive private schools. In other words, know your role, Temple.

Not so simple. Construction is being done out of a separate fund pool, one that has more donor activity and the like. As far as public schools go, Temple's actually a little less restricted on how to spend money, but they still have to bow to those restrictions.

Or would you rather have the situation of OU, which has ongoing funding problems with basically everything, but when alums like T. Boone Pickens make gifts, they mandate it go to athletics and shiny new stadiums?

**thoth** · 07-17-2012, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Jtom

Obviously, my post is my own opinion. I used the word "should" to indicate what I believe Temple should do. Now, if I said "Temple have to..." you would have a point. There's no need to say "I think..."

There is if you are not going to support your opinion with facts or logical reasoning. Temple has record application rates and has upgraded a great deal of the campus and improved the surrounding neighborhood while maintaining relatively low tuition costs. For many, these changes have made it a school of choice instead of a safety.

So why fill a niche in the face of success?

**Naveen** · 07-17-2012, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Jtom

I guess they are filling the niche. 13k in my mind is too much, but it's a fraction of what schools like La Salle and Drexel are charging.

I agree that $13K is too much for one year of undergraduate education. But relatively speaking that's unbelievably low by today's standards. Drexel is now $41K, and it's not like Drexel is an elite school.