Last week the Faculty Senate passed a recommendation to create an office of faculty development, and a steering committee to advise the office.

It seems like a good idea on the surface – a way to provide faculty development in teaching, research and service. But, such a program would cost money, money the Faculty Senate shouldn’t be trying to spend.

The recommendation calls for an operating budget and pursuit of external funding, but also suggests the vice president for academic affairs to appoint an interim Faculty Development Coordinator to coordinate programming, maintain a Web site and get funding.

While outside sources of funding would be sought, all those other pieces cost money – student’s money.

If the faculty needs a private office for “intellectual and social interaction among faculty members from all campuses,” they should hang out in the faculty only lounges that are included in every building. Isn’t that what they are there for?

And faculty from all campuses? What campuses? Eastern has only one campus.

Students don’t want to spend their money on building a new office for faculty to hang out in, or pay for a staff to fill such an office.

If faculty feel their development is being hindered, they should ask for a better plan in their new contract, which will begin being negotiated this year.

If they don’t feel like they have enough opportunities to develop their research skills, maybe they should talk to their department chairs or colleagues.

But students don’t want to pay for it. We pay high enough fees as it is, including tuition, activity fees and housing, that we shouldn’t have to pay for a new office for something we don’t need.

If faculty want a new playroom, they can pay for it.