I owe nothing to my Alma Mater. Since before graduation I have been bombarded, by my colleagues, professors and alumni, with ideas that I must be grateful to my university for what it has given me. That I must give back (especially financially) to the institution that “granted” my diploma.
I wasn’t granted anything. I earned my
academic title. I was the one that went through the imposed Herculean Labors to
achieve my academic goals.
More importantly is that I was given
nothing my university. I wasn’t the recipient of some sort of charity. The
professors and instructors didn’t take me in their class room out of pity. In a
country where education has become a profitable business, everything in the
university has to be paid for.
I paid for everything during my schools
years. My classes, the use of a library and the computers, the professor’s
office hours, even the bathroom use is computed in the tuition (and all other
special fees). Even when I needed a service outside the paid tuition
(transcripts, tax certifications, etc.) I would have to pay extra for those.
When the alumni or schools officials ask me
to be grateful, and show it by giving back to the university, I reject them. As
should everyone. What they are spewing is sentimental none-sense designed to
rob me of my earnings. It is ridiculous to be grateful for something that was
sold and paid for. And sometimes overpriced and not what was agreed upon. Gratuities are given for an excellent service,
not when they were unearned; alms are given for pity sake, not when they are
demanded.
Alejandro Ortiz
