“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” will draw the attention of millions to the epic journey of Harry Potter and his battle with Lord Voldemort, the most evil wizard to have walked the Earth.
But, the movie will overlook a tremendous problem at Hogwarts besides Voldemort’s promotion of pureblood elitism, his mind control of the government and the numerous murders in His name.
In the midst of all of the dark chaos, Hogwarts Headmaster Severus Snape is dealing with tremendous budget cuts passed down from He Who Must Not Be Named(HWMNBN).
J.K. Rowling portrays the wizarding world fairly well, but the daringly dangerous tales of Mr. Potter are obviously lucrative. She neglects the real danger lying in the future of witches’ and wizards’ educations.
Whip out a copy of the most recent edition of The Daily Prophet, and you’ll find a massive headline about the latest triumphs of the Bulgarian Quidditch team or the horrifyingly gruesome murders of an apparently innocent family.
Athletic and emotional news catch the eyes of entertainment-hungry readers, but the ongoing story with the most present and future implications for readers falls pictureless in the bottom corner of the front page.
Lord Voldemort has diverted the ministry and the school’s resources from educating students to other activities that will lead the community in an unsuccessful direction. HWMNBN said the school is financially bloated and that reducing funding to the school will increase the value of the education of young witches and wizards.
Because of his seemingly unending cross-country effort to gain power, Lord Voldemort is never around, leaving Snape to handle the educational mess. The Dark Lord’s minions, the Death Eaters, are too focused on fixing immediate problems and maintaining favorable reputation in the eyes of the public to prevent widespread dissent or even rebellion.
They refuse to financially protect the school and leave it to whither while ignoring the future impact these actions may have on the school and even the economy.
Because of financial neglect, the school can’t afford to support academic programs that set it apart from similar wizarding schools.
Divination, the study of predicting the future, is on the “chopping block.” Many view it as a pointless study, but Divination professor Sybill Trelawney made the very prophecy that brought an end to the rein of HWMNBN.
Even departments known for being “money-makers” like Potions are suffering from lack of funding. Potions professor Horace Slughorn has to cut back on his instruction because some exotic ingredients are just too expensive.
The obvious solution is to just “magic up” some more money, but it would be worthless because of the goblins’ unique skill in making the only galleons, sickles and knuts wizarding businesses will accept. Goblins won’t make any more money for wizards, especially considering the disdain each race holds for the other.
Rowling’s tale of Mr. Potter does eventually lead to his conquering of the Dark Lord, ending his rein of terror and academic neglect. With HWMNBN and the Death Eaters removed from power, the school can be restored to order.
Freed from the magical grasp of Voldemort, the Ministry of Magic can finally focus resources where needed and protect the school from future financial mess.
Kingsley Shacklebolt, the newly acting Minister of Magic, understands the importance of higher education in the success of an economy and community.
He has taken necessary steps to prevent uneven concentration of resources in financial crisis, which cause lopsided budgets.
The young wizards of Hogwarts can rest easy because of the efforts of Mr. Potter, but we the students of LSU and future generations have nothing but concern.
With the discretionary status of higher education and apparent lack of intent to change the status from lawmakers, the future of Louisiana post-secondary education is dark and cloudy.
Louisiana needs a Harry Potter to unite the voices of reason and bring bureaucratic government down to Earth.
Education and knowledge will ensure future success — not worthless degrees given by withered universities.
Matt Lousteau is a 21-year-old mechanical engineering senior from LaPlace. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_Mlousteau.
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Contact Matt Lousteau at [email protected]