Choice for life?

“Well said kazzyb007! In the 30 odd years I lived in Plymouth (as a local!) I never went out drinking and socialising with family or friends ever!”

“@drt346ys. I am a mature student about to enter my second year of a BSc. I have worked and paid taxes for the past 34 years - I only went to part time last year when I started my degree. For 29 of those years I have lived in Plymouth, and have owned my own home (with mortgage) for 27 of them. My son will be graduating next week and is going straight into a Masters degree - both degrees being undertaken here in Plymouth. He has had a part time job since he was 17. Yes we will both have debts but we are making an informed choice about these - and please don't suggest that neither of us contribute to the local economy.

If you look at student survey figures, and actually bother to talk to any of the students
who study here (including the huge amount of foreign students ) you will discover that the student satisfaction rate is very high and one of the overwhelming "draws" is the beautiful waterfront that Plymouth has to offer. Plymouth University is celebrating its 150th year as an educational establishment, and is in the running for University of the year this year. Not something that is awarded for "lining its pockets"!

I am sick of the constant bleating that students do nothing but drink - yes they drink - so what? Are all the moaners who write in teetotal? At least by attending a University they are doing something concrete to invest in their own futures, rather than just sitting around moaning about their lot. Perhaps if deputydog had actually attended a University instead of just cleaning one he or she would now have a better job - or at least a basic understanding of grammar, spelling and punctuation.”

“I think the students are making the choice to get educated so that they know the difference between there, their and they're. Mr Walton you are an absolute retard.”

“hahaha got to love deputydog's comments. Without the students there would be no Uni and you would be out of a job. "get rid of them all give us plymouth back to what it was they spend most of the time in pubs anyway..." and therefore putting money into the local economy. If we have Plymouth as it was, it would be even more run down and still have bomb sites everywhere. 30,000 students in Plymouth, that's an awful lot of money behine the bars, in the shops, in the general economy.”

“Despite the doom/gloom merchants saying Plymouth has appalling road/rail links and has no airport, and is 'dying', at least it doesn't stop students coming here, so full credit to students for that..:)”

“get rid of them all give us plymouth back to what it was they spend most of the time in pubs anyway and before anyone says why should us plymothians move out because of all these kids who dress like tramps and take over most places in plymouth i worked as a cleaner at the uni and if my children left as mutch mess as these do they would be out the door so bring on the red arrows cos yes im a student hater”

“@kazzyb007, if they are able to calculate the effect of tourism in a geographical area, I'm pretty sure they don't need all the toursists to go to calculate the difference. It's based on anticipated spend per person.

As for the Universtity contributing to the local economy - apart from the student spending and the landlords profitting from what should be the Universities responsibility (in my opinion for the fees they are charging), I only see that facility as a self-supporting business making huge profits off the back of the students and not actually putting much back into the city. It is eating up residential areas and the city centre. If it rented the properties or leased, then I'd probably be more forgiving.

I'm only asking for someone to provide figures to prove me wrong, rather than the perception which is usually presented”

“I think its a combination of the two arguments. Yes the students do contribute to the local economy - the question of how much is purely semantics as you can't quantify it without closing the university and removing all the students! I would also agree that some degree subjects are a little dubious and may not be all that valuable in the workplace - but if a student makes a choice to do that degree, since they are funding it its THEIR choice! Blogtodi hits the nail on the head when he says its the learning to be independent and to think independently is the real value of a University education - independent thought is something that sadly has no place in the National Curriculum. And yes of course they are putting money into the pockets of the University - but the University also contributes to the economy of the city - at a time when there is less and less investment coming in.”

“Having watched my own complete a degree I can only agree with @blogtodi, the subject matter may have a benefit in certain fields obviously, but the organisation, research, analytical and presentation skills are the real benefit.

I still take issue with the increased revenue statement that keeps being repeated (something no-one's produced any real evidence of). In one sentence it is quoted that the landords will do well and also the local retailers? I thought the biggest gripe was the amount of debt being created and so spending when already in debt is probably not likely to happen. I agree there will be an increase in spending on the everyday things, but enough to boost an economy of an area? I'm struggling with the concept. Groceries and possibly the licencing trade may benefit more than any other area, but the biggest financial gain is in the pockets of the University.”

“It's the 'What if?' man... Steve, climb back into the womb. You're obviously too afraid to live in the real world. Students love the uni and the life it gives them, for three years at least.

This is THEIR time. To enjoy living amongst their peers without supervision for probably the first time in the lives; an experience so great that they will remember it all their lives. Oh, and they may even get a degree on the way.

And, does the subject of the degree really matter? Surely it's the ability to learn, reason, debate, discuss, research, understand and report, communicate and to develop a higher level of intelligence that employers are looking for in whatever subject they study.”