The CMU Promise, the university's guarantee to incoming freshmen that their tuition will stay fixed for five years, was nixed last spring. Construction on a new education building is underway, while another hotel in the Center for Applied Research and Technology is in the works.

But despite the university's efforts to stay competitive, there still are glaring problems that need fixing. We've pinpointed three heading into 2008-09.

keep tuition low

Prior to the CMU Promise, many students found the university to have the lowest cost of education, much lower than the likes of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Today, it's among the most expensive of its size, sporting a higher tuition rate than rivals Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

While the promise was a good marketing tool, it had no life with the state's current economic struggles. Even with a four- to five-year no-hike guarantee, incoming freshmen were facing steep hikes year after year because the university continued losing money in state appropriations.

With the Promise gone, CMU has to find a way to keep tuition hikes lower than the competition over the next few years. It's not an easy task, considering it only can hike tuition for freshmen and sophomores next July, but the university must take into account students' tight budgets.

facility fundamentals

We understand CMU's efforts to revamp the education department in replacing the weary Ronan Hall with the 134,500-square-foot facility under construction. We also understood the need for the satellite energy facility on the western side of campus.

Now the university should focus on taking better care of several facilities, particularly on north campus, that desperately need a facelift. A summer estimate placed the university's maintenance needs at $200 million, a number that won't go away without some investment.

Wightman Hall is a good example. Wightman has had problems, especially two years ago, with water leaks and wall damage. Other buildings had similar issues in the last two years. On Sept. 27, 2006, a pipe burst in the ceiling of Moore Hall's first floor flooding three classrooms with 230 gallons of water. Yet again, another pipe burst at the Fresh Food Company within the first year of its opening, which was estimated at a total cost of more than $200,000.

It seems as though the focus should sway toward improving existing buildings rather than erecting fancy structures.

in the spotlight

With two consecutive Mid-American Conference championships, the football team is making strides in getting CMU noticed around the country. But other than the wrestling team, no other CMU athletic team won the conference last year.

The men's and women's basketball teams have the most work to do. Both are coming off disappointing seasons. We need to see results soon and not ask ourselves in February when football season begins again.

The football team has work to do, as well. No coaches or players will admit it, but this is the year the Chippewas need to beat a Bowl Championship school. Losing by three points like the team did to Purdue in the Motor City Bowl last season is not going to do it. It not only would help earn respect for the team but for the entire MAC conference as well.