OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

The initial move to cut funding for LeaderShape, essentially eliminating the program, was well-intentioned. Whether the money for this program comes primarily from Institute sources or private donations, its benefits are confined to a limited number of students. This narrow scope fails to justify the program ' s high costs.

This cost-benefit imbalance is not reason enough to leave student leadership development in a lurch for a year, though. Instead, the more appropriate decision was made when funding was promised to ensure LeaderShape ' s ability continue for one more year. In the meantime, a concerted effort must be made to develop a Tech-specific leadership growth opportunity. A unique, homegrown program would once again secure the Institute ' s role as a trendsetter as the FASET summer orientation program, FOCUS and Challenge programs have done.

Long-term solutions for the broader problems related to the ways in which leadership opportunities are offered to the " average " student must be examined. Opportunities must expand beyond the same old group of campus leaders. Funding decisions for these programs must include diverse student voices to ensure their credibility.