So, can Oakland University compete?

The recent cuts by state and federal governments will definitely be felt by college students everywhere, as there is no escape from a high tuition raise this year, at any school.

With these larger cuts, mid-major colleges such as Oakland will have a major struggle on their hands. However, thanks to some very difficult standards, the benefit of an OU degree has never been higher.

In Rochester, our journalism department has built a reputation as a school in the Midwest that is not only getting stronger quickly, but stands up considerably well against even Big Ten schools.

Take for example what I found when I visited Michigan State University last semester. Managing Content Editor Nichole Seguin did a piece Nov. 10, 2010 regarding the disparity between MSU and Oakland and how it wasn’t all that impressive.

I’m here to report that it’s definitely true, and just looking by requirements, OU’s degree seems to be more difficult to attain.

Don’t believe me?

In East Lansing, the number of credits in the general university requirement section only tallies up to 28. At Oakland, that number is 40.

Michigan State also has roughly 15-18 additional credits required for a degree, and OU isn’t far off with 16. Adding everything together, Oakland has more requirements than East Lansing, with 96 out of 124 credits in classes that are required to graduate.

Also, while both schools make internships mandatory before graduation, Oakland has their requirements at four credits, while at MSU, it is only one.

Central Michigan University is another school known for their program, and while their college has different areas of study such as photojournalism and online journalism, Oakland can compete in this changing marketplace and excel.

At CMU, only three credits are allowed for internships, and they seem to be more general about their requirements as well, with only a stipulation that “65 credits have to be in the arts of sciences.”

What’s more, at Oakland 40 credits are required for a major. At Central Michigan, that number is one less at 39. OU’s degree seems to be worth just as much, partially because of all the different areas that must be adhered to before graduation, not to mention the quality of teachers that truly do care for their students.

I’ve had the luxury to be taught by two former editor-in-chiefs, not to mention a slew of other reporters who certainly know what the business is all about. To make it all better, they know me by name.

Instead of being a number and having to swipe a card, isn’t that what it’s all about? To be treated like “Shawn” instead of Student #134234, while learning from the best?

While the grass could always be greener, and Oakland could always do a little better, it was great to see that our requirements here hold up against the other “larger schools.”

I believe that an Oakland degree still is among the very best in the state, and exceeds even MAC schools.

The atmosphere is about constant improvement, and there is a true hunger to do better not just from the students and faculty, but completely around the campus and in the community.

Oh, so you still don’t believe that Oakland can compete?

Go ask the University of Tennessee that same question.