Loser? Or Free Spirit?

I'm leaning toward loser.

'I could have should have graduated many years ago, but I keep passing on the real world's invitation,' said Lechner, 28, who is in his 11th year as a student in the University of Wisconsin System, the last 10 at UW-Whitewater. He's taken a full course load every semester except the current one, in which he's taking seven credits.

Lechner has completed 234 college credits, about 100 more than needed to graduate and so many that he's now paying the so-called 'slacker tax.'

System students who exceed 165 total credit hours or 30 more than their degree programs require - whichever is higher - pay double tuition. The Board of Regents instituted the surcharge this school year as a none-too-subtle hint that a state-subsidized education has its limits.

Good for the regents. I think the Legislature had something to do with it, too: I seem to remember a bill along those same lines.

At least the guy isn't completely off his rocker:

He knows some people might look down on his decision not to grow up. Asked when his college career will cross the line from amusing to pathetic, he answers, "Probably three years ago."