The University of Akron

Date: Oct 18 2012
Major: Accounting (This Major's Salary over time)
A lot of my issues will most likely be common with other large universities, but I do believe they should change. I do have some positives as well. My biggest problem would be the administration and the operations of the university. With anything but your professors you are only a number, and you are viewed as nothing more than a source of tuition. They charge tuition for every little thing they offer whether it is used or not, and they try to squeeze even more out of you with books. If you buy all your books from their store, you will be guaranteed to spend at least $600(estimated for 5 classes) a semester for the newest editions every year. The editions do not vary by a page or two, but this means they will not buy your books back. The worst part is that they make University of Akron editions of someone else's textbook so you have to buy it from them, and once again they will not buy it back. It is not easy to get guidance from your adviser. I've scheduled all my own classes since I've been here, and I've never seen my adviser. The university also gets into your personal business no matter where you live. I got an underage off campus, and the city of Akron only made me pay a small fine. The university found out so I was put on academic probation, had to go to a class, paid a fine, and did a small amount of community service. Does that make any sense at all? You just look at your tuition being spent on things to attract even more students. Paying Jim Tressel $200,000 a year in a made up position designated to student success? I haven't heard from him. I would say you are a minority if you are white, and they place a lot of emphasis on their diversity except whites. Every student must take a world civilization class. The only choices are Latin America, Japan, Southeast Asia, Africa, and India if that tells you anything about skin color. Certain classes require that you take tests in their testing center under certain hours with looonngg lines sometimes. It is a departmental test so hopefully your professor follows the cirriculum closely. Make sure you live with a lot of people and lock your doors. No matter where you live around or on campus, there is crime. Never leave anything in your car because it will get stolen. I lived on campus in an apartment building for two years and this all happened to my car. Within a week, my stereo was stolen. Next, my window was shattered, but there was nothing taken because I never left anything in it again. After that I never locked my doors, and my car was torn apart for stuff to steal another 3 times. Never go to the rec between 3-6. Never walk at night by yourself. For the good news, almost all of my professors have been absolutely wonderful. They are extremely accomodating, and they will be there to help after class, on the weekend, or any time. They will make sure you understand 100% and will stop class to help you. A lot of the professors that I have had are foreign with some accents, but it is manageable. The foreign ones I had I found to be great though. One was the funniest I've had, and one was the best teacher/professor I've ever had. If it wasn't for my professors, I would have transferred a long time ago. The students are also approachable and will talk to anyone. You will get to know the people in your major. Point of the story is, the people that actually matter and make 100% of the university successful by paying tuition, building relationships, and educating are the best assets the university has. However, the people in control are corporate idiots running it like a business that doesn't care about their customers.