Staff Blog
Rendell proposes to drastically raise tuition at “state-related” schools (in effect)
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| Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette |
| Slashy slashy! |
Students already fear the ever-rising cost of college tuition, and now might face steeper loans and deeper debt if Governor Rendell's new education proposal is passed. The proposal cuts funding for “state-related” schools — Temple, Penn State, Lincoln and Pittsburgh Universities. As a result, tuition would likely rise, which would be a huge blow to students who are struggling to find loans and pay for college in this economy (full disclosure: I go to Temple).
Although the 2009-2010 proposed education budget promises that it will continue to increase “student achievement by investing in initiatives that will make Pennsylvania a leader in readying our students for the jobs of the future,” it will force the four schools to re-evaluate their budgets for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which could consequently raise the price of a college diploma for the 160,000 students who attend them.
Rendell called the cutbacks,“painful,” but says that schools are neither under his “complete control” nor public institutions.
Students are objecting loudly. Sean O’Connell, the Services Review Chair from Temple's Student Government, says that the governor’s decision is unacceptable because, “not only does [the proposal] affect students, but it could also lead to cuts in all departments impacting all faculty and staff ... While a decrease in state funding does not legally require the university to increase tuition, it is the de facto cause of a rise in tuition.”
The Temple Student Government (TSG) coordinated a campaign called 1,000 VOICES in conjunction with its three sister-state-schools, which will deliver 3,200 letters to legislators “to raise awareness about ever rising tuition rates … and to make our legislators aware of the effect the Governor’s proposal,” says Jon Desantis, TSG’s co-vice-president. TSG will also host a press conference on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg this morning at 11 a.m.
You would think that debt couldn’t get any deeper as far as college loans are concerned. On a positive note, it will re-polish what it means to have a college degree. As a senior at Temple with boat loads and boat loads of loans and debt I can sympathize with this situation. Temple has had so much funding in recent years that a little decline won’t hurt too bad.