Politically charged street art questioning the university’s values while also mocking the school’s motto of “God First” appeared on Foothill Boulevard last week, just outside of West Campus. The piece pictured APU’s four cornerstones logo with the words “Money First” written beside it.
With the current cost for a student to attend APU—prior to financial aid or room and board—at $32,516 a year, the controversial topic of money is familiar to staff and students both.
A photograph of the piece was posted on the campus’s popular Facebook page, “Overheard at APU.” The photo made waves on the page, accumulating just under 600 reactions.
While some students supported the street art, others believe those angered by the school’s cost can and should choose to be educated elsewhere.
“Go to a junior college for a couple of years [and] get a couple of jobs to help pay for it,” Jared Zoller, MBA student and president of The Zu said. “Just don’t act like you’re starting a revolution by anonymously spray-painting the sidewalk with a sloppy stencil.”
Zoller reiterated that the university does not receive money from the state as public campuses do. This lack of government funding makes APU’s rates substantially higher than neighboring schools.
While some see the piece as vandalism, others stand by the message.
“I thought the artwork was creative, well-planned out and thoroughly controversial,” senior liberal studies major Savannah Shultz said. “The blunt message really gives the viewer something to think about. APU Money First—it’s easy to see it that way, and frequently I agree.”
Shultz said that as a financially independent student, she has asked for financial help from the university and requested more time to make payments on multiple occasions and been denied. She said that scenarios like these make her agree with the piece.
“I found the post [on “Overheard at APU”] fascinating in that people suddenly had a platform to express their distaste for the American education system and how funding works,” Britton Hennessy, business marketing alumnus said.
As the heated debate on the “Overhead at APU” page continued, those who disapproved of the street art silenced others who felt as though APU was not candid with its finances by sending a link to the university’s financial report.
Due to the nature of APU’s 501(c)(3) non-profit status, the university is legally obligated to be open regarding finances.
Corbin Hoornbeek, vice president of University Advancement, said that APU LIFE magazine releases an annual report edition detailing where university money is distributed. Likewise, the centerfold has reader-friendly info graphics detailing the university’s fundraising allocations.
As the street art continues to provoke conversations on campus, Hennessy said that he believes the piece elicits healthy conversation and questions such as how students express their needs and ideas for where resources should be allocated, and how the university can become more transparent about helping educate students on where their tuition goes.
Hennesey said these questions are not just good for APU—they are necessary.