AIX EN PROVENCE, FRANCE — Dealing with the bureaucratic processes or shuffling through the crowded corridors of Lockett Hall, it’s easy to curse the University system. And while Europe has a reputation for being more progressive in many respects relative to the U.S., it would be a mistake to think the same for the higher education system — at least in France.The ailing facilities of our fine institution are a drop in the bucket compared to the infrastructural inferiority of French education buildings.In a town with a large student population, one massive university building has nets affixed to the façade. No, it’s not to dissuade individuals from jumping out of the window — although its likeness to a Soviet Union internment camp might give one that feeling — it’s meant to protect passersby from being hit by the crumbling building. Poor facilities like this are symbolic of France’s struggling education system.The facilities of my university — which are considered advanced — are in a much more charming building with impressive architecture. Still, the stresses of decades of underfunding are apparent. Far from the big comfort of American universities, many rooms are crammed with students sitting in narrow desks. In one class it was entertaining to see just how many people we could squeeze in — pulling up chairs and sharing spaces.Universities here seem to have been slower to adopt the many technological components of our education which have become integrated into our daily lives. My school has failed to embrace the power of disseminating information through a Web site — I can’t seem to find one document that has all of the classes being offered on it, not to mention a system to register for classes electronically.Need to put a DVD in for class? This is a job for the university’s crack team of audio visual specialists, who seem to be required for even the most basic operations, like powering on the projector (which are largely absent from the classroom).Even the concept of time has its own twist. While at LSU we have the de facto 10-minute rule, here the rule seems to be there are no rules. Not only have I noticed a steady trickle of students coming in throughout class, apparently it’s acceptable for a professor to show up 30 minutes late and then run over time by 45 minutes.All of these annoyances may be separated from the actual quality of instruction, but they represent larger structural trends which have led to a struggling university system.Central to France’s post revolution ideals is equality. Consequently, it’s state policy that any student who graduates from high school with their “bac” has a spot in college.But there is no guarantee of equality in the quality of education students receive. While everyone may get a seat at a university, there is a disparity that exists. “Grande écoles” — like the university I attend — actually have the ability to turn down students, unlike their peer institutions.It seems the altruistic attempt to bring education to all has led to a diminished quality for most. If you are one of the few accepted into the grande écoles, there is an air of elitism that comes with it. Apparently it’s a faux pas to say you are attending “université” if you are actually studying at a grand école — kind of like those uppity kids at Tulane.French universities are largely absent from world rankings. They also lag behind other industrialized countries’ funding for higher education. Recognizing this, French President Nicholas Sarkozy promised to reverse the nation’s dwindling higher education system. He recently pledged to increase education spending by about 20 percent.”Why are the only attractive campuses abroad?” Sarkozy said. “Why are our university libraries shut on Sunday? Why are there no sports or cultural spaces? Why do families who can afford it, send their children to universities abroad?”Although the professors at my university seem very intelligent and competent, the university system is a sum of many different things. Even though the base of the education system — the educators — seem capable here, there are many facets of the university experience which the French should reform.While the goal is clear, Sarkozy’s rhetorical questions may be much more complicated to answer. Change in France often comes at a slow pace, especially with the active student and teachers unions. Notorious for its frequent strikes — just this week a strike began led by professors angry at new changes to research policies France is a complicated place. Maybe even more complicated than Louisiana.Well, that’s doubtful.—-Contact Mark Macmardo at [email protected]