Colleges of the '80s cont.

(continued from page 83) turning to public institutions to get their education

An example of inflation affecting privatecollegescan be seen inthe92.7 percent tuition increase over 1970-71

In 1979, Massachusetts Institute of Technology inCambridge, Mass., told its students they'd need $8,900—$5,300 for tuition,$2,685 for room and board,$630 for personal expenses and $285 for books and supplies for the school year of 1980. Ten years ago tuition at MIT was $2,150. While thepricesforprivatecolleges may seem overwhelming, they have stillnot raised tuition fees enough to cover the impact of inflation Until the late'70smost colleges had not begun toraisetheirannual fees, yet with expenses rising month by month administrators feel their only choice is to pass on the cost to students.

While the predictions for private colleges continue to grow bleak and many private colleges are on a downward spin,Liberty Baptist College is on the upswing

In 1971, LBC started with a little over a hundred students and within ten years has grown to more than 3,000students.

LBC, which receivesno government subsidies or federal aid, has actually lagged behind the tuition increases at private universities For 1980-81 where the average tuition and fees totaled at $6,002, Liberty's costs were $3,590

Studentshave learned tocope with thegrowth pains ofthecollege and acceptthatthey mean betterfacilities in thefuture. Here,one student driveshiscardown a dusty road linedwith pipes.

Dr. Earl Mills, who is in chargeof research and development at thecollege, believes the reason LBC hasbeen able tokeep itscosts down isthrough efficient and conservative planning. Although LBC is not as well developed or as plush as the many private colleges that are charging higher tuition, itstrives to offer qualityeducation at a minimum price by keeping tuition and room and board costs down by offering thebasics,without all theadded frills.

There's standing room only foragroup ofCollege fora Weekend students. Here, Gary Avila addresses the overflowcrowd of prospective students who visited in April.

"Our education buildings and dorms are rather basic," Mills said, "but they are efficient. W e don't have show-case buildings, because wetry toutilizeall wehave atthe least possibleprice."

Liberty isunique inthataprincipal source of income comes through Dr Jerry Falwell's television program, "The Old-Time Gospel Hour." Although the students hear about Liberty through different channels, the main source for recruitment of students isthrough Falwell's program

While "The Old-Time Gospel Hour" brings students to Liberty, Mills believes thefuture ofLBC will continue to look positive due to the rapid growth of the Christian day school movement throughout the United States.Mills explained that at leastthree Christian schools arestarting each day throughout the United States, and as these schools develop and start graduating seniors,atleast half of these seniors will be seeking out Christian colleges to attend With seniors graduating from Christian high schools, LBC hasa good chance ofmeeting theircollegiateeducational needs

While thefuture formany private colleges looks bleak and private educatorscry out for help,those at Liberty Baptist College plan to keep their doors open—perhaps even a little wider

-Carole E.Smith LI

Due toLBC'saction-oriented curriculum students are always on themove.Here, on a typical day, students rush to and from classes.

Expansion is a regular procedure at LBC. The dorms presently under construction are all three-story dorms which the administration hopeswill meet thegreat influx of campus students.

mm m irirll he time clock read 11 a.m.

J* The workers were in their ~~"^ places and ready to go. One girl stopped a moment to adjust her checkered scarfand slip on her gloves.

"Pay attention," shouted the student manager. "It's time to start. Remember to smile — these are not only your fellow students, they are your customers."

The time clock read 11:15 a.m. The doors opened — the quiet was over and students crowded into the cafeteria for the noon meal.

A typical day at SAGA. It starts with the morning cooks arriving at5 a.m and the kitchen closing at8 or 9 p.m Thereseemsto beanever-ending hum ofactivityinthekitchen — pots banging, waterrunning, doorsswinging back and forth, people laughing, talking, joking and sometimes catching a moment'srest.

To LBC students, SAGA is the school'sfood service The cafeteria — a place togather, eatand talk Something that makes them think of or long for Mom's home cooking.

In1948, threecollegeseniorsat HobartCollege inGeneva,N.Y., decided to manage the college's dining hall, since thecafeteria was losing money. They were faced with thechallenge of satisfying their fellow students and stillmaking a profit The three stu-