State should support all students
Editorial Board
Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: Ed-Op
Government at every level is curtailing spending in the face of the economic crisis, and Pennsylvania is no exception. Feb. 4, Gov. Ed Rendell addressed the state legislature and the public to explain his 2009-10 budget proposal. The proposal includes the new Tuition Relief Act, which includes a significant aid package for students attending state universities and community colleges. The act will be funded by the legalization and regulation of video poker.
Pennsylvania has historically faced conflict when the issue of gambling is broached as a source of state funding. We hope the legislature will accept that harnessing the profits of this industry is a legitimate and necessary means of income, particularly in this time of economic crisis.
"The truth is we can't afford not to provide this relief," Rendell said in his address. "Through no fault of their own, families who trusted that they could save for their children's college education have seen those funds decimated."
The question we are left asking, however, is where that leaves those students who have dreamed of going to private institutions, such as Drexel, whose savings has also evaporated? The Tuition Relief Act does not provide any assistance for students wishing to attend Pennsylvania's private institutions, or even state-affiliated universities like Temple and Penn State.
Part of the Tuition Relief Act does include the restoration of PHEAA grants that were cut this past year. These aid Pennsylvania students at public and private universities alike. The state should not just restore the grants that were cut, but expand the program to assist students who wish to attend private universities but otherwise just might not make the financial cut. There is some expansion included - but once again, it seems geared toward community college students.
While the state higher education system is a valuable part of the education infrastructure and no doubt provides quality education for its students, private institutions frequently offer programs and opportunities that are not available elsewhere.
Also, how equipped are these schools for the influx of students that is likely to come in this situation? Students who are now unable to attend a private university may want spots in the more affordable institutions; additionally, workers who have been laid off due to the economic situation are likely to turn to these colleges to upgrade their skills in the interim.
Gov. Rendell has been strong on education policy throughout his term, and understands the need for "knowledge-ready workers" in our current economic situation. However, herding students en masse into the state system may not be the best solution. It may lead to over-crowded public schools, leaving only the still-wealthy to attend the more costly institutions - creating a deeper gap between the "haves" and "have-nots."
Pennsylvania has historically faced conflict when the issue of gambling is broached as a source of state funding. We hope the legislature will accept that harnessing the profits of this industry is a legitimate and necessary means of income, particularly in this time of economic crisis.
"The truth is we can't afford not to provide this relief," Rendell said in his address. "Through no fault of their own, families who trusted that they could save for their children's college education have seen those funds decimated."
The question we are left asking, however, is where that leaves those students who have dreamed of going to private institutions, such as Drexel, whose savings has also evaporated? The Tuition Relief Act does not provide any assistance for students wishing to attend Pennsylvania's private institutions, or even state-affiliated universities like Temple and Penn State.
Part of the Tuition Relief Act does include the restoration of PHEAA grants that were cut this past year. These aid Pennsylvania students at public and private universities alike. The state should not just restore the grants that were cut, but expand the program to assist students who wish to attend private universities but otherwise just might not make the financial cut. There is some expansion included - but once again, it seems geared toward community college students.
While the state higher education system is a valuable part of the education infrastructure and no doubt provides quality education for its students, private institutions frequently offer programs and opportunities that are not available elsewhere.
Also, how equipped are these schools for the influx of students that is likely to come in this situation? Students who are now unable to attend a private university may want spots in the more affordable institutions; additionally, workers who have been laid off due to the economic situation are likely to turn to these colleges to upgrade their skills in the interim.
Gov. Rendell has been strong on education policy throughout his term, and understands the need for "knowledge-ready workers" in our current economic situation. However, herding students en masse into the state system may not be the best solution. It may lead to over-crowded public schools, leaving only the still-wealthy to attend the more costly institutions - creating a deeper gap between the "haves" and "have-nots."
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Grad Student
posted 2/13/09 @ 9:57 AM EST
Education is not something you deserve as a matter of accident of birth.
Moreover, the citizenry of the Commonwealth should not be obligated to support you when you want to better yourself through higher education. (Continued…)
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