Choose one of the following topics and write a well-developed essay. Give yourself 2 hours maximum. DO NOT use outside sources. This assignment is intended to reflect your own thoughts and should not include outside information.

1. According to the New York Times, "Rutgers, the biggest and most important public university in New Jersey, has spent millions of dollars furthering its ambition to become a major football power that might otherwise have been devoted to academics. It has done so during a period of rising tuition and budgetary cutbacks in academic departments." Do colleges spend too much money on athletics when they should be spending it on academics instead? If eliminating athletics at JWU would mean reducing annual tuition by $5000, should JWU do it? Take a stand and explain your position.

2. Schools all over the country have slashed their arts programs as a result of dwindling budgets. How does exposure to the arts effect students? How important are the arts to education in general?