“It’s Economics 101. If we continue to cut funding for colleges and universities, and tuition keeps going up as a result, fewer and fewer people will get the higher education they need to compete in the economy, which means that less and less money will come in to fund higher education”, said Sean Olson, a senior at the University of Minnesota and member of the MYDFL….
A recent study by the Minnesota Private College Research Foundation found that the percentage of Minnesotans who earn a four-year degree is expected to fall 11 percent, while the number of jobs requiring some college education will grow 21 percent.”
The article has video of the press conference yesterday. In 2006 the MYDFL helped spearhead one of the most successful youth organizing efforts in the country… ever, if this is any indication we can expect another great campaign season from the group. A DFL press release after the jump.
Disclaimer: I was the chair of MYDFL in 2006-07. I am occasionally still an adviser to the board and obviously a big fan of the group. I have never been paid by the organization other than reimbursement for travel and material costs.
Economics 101: Cutting Higher Education Not Good for Economy
Minnesota Young DFLers, Legislators Speak Out Against College Cuts That Threaten Minnesota’s Economic Future
St. Paul, MN (March 18, 2008) Members of the Minnesota Young DFL today said that Governor Pawlenty’s proposed cuts to the state’s public colleges and universities threaten Minnesota’s economic future and that the governor should hold colleges harmless while closing his $935 million budget deficit this year.
“The cost of college has gone up dramatically over the last few years, in no small part because of the significant cuts to higher education in this state since Pawlenty became governor,†said Ray Hoover, a student at St. Cloud State University and chair of the Minnesota Young DFL. “This year we are calling on the governor to hold our state’s public colleges and universities harmless when he tries to close his nearly billion-dollar budget deficit.â€
The governor recently proposed to cut $27 million from the University of Minnesota and $26 million from MnSCU. Minnesota students pay twice the national average for tuition at public colleges and universities. U of M President Robert Bruininks said last week additional cuts would most likely result in tuition increases.
In addition, a recent study by the Minnesota Private College Research Foundation found that the percentage of Minnesotans who earn a four-year degree is expected to fall 11 percent, while the number of jobs requiring some college education will grow 21 percent.
“The cost of tuition is pricing us out of college,†said Sean Olson, a University of Minnesota student and member of the MYDFL who took a year off of college as a result of high tuition and fees. “It’s Economics 101: If we continue to cut funding for colleges and universities, and tuition keeps going up as a result, fewer and fewer people will get the higher education they need to compete in the economy, which means that less and less money will come in to fund higher education. It’s a vicious circle that will profoundly affect the ability of all Minnesotans to maintain the high quality of life we’re used to, and we need to stop it right now.â€
The Minnesota Young DFL was joined by Senator Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller; Senator Sandy Pappas, chair of the Higher Education Budget and Policy Division; Representative Tom Rukavina, chair of the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division; Senator Kathy Sheran; and Representative John Lesch.
Draining of resources isn’t just happening at the state level. Representatives such as John Kline (CD-2) have been voting to cut students aid and voting against lowering interest rates for student borrowers since he’s been in office.
In order to allow more middle class and lower class students the opportunity to earn higher education, we must get people like John Kline out of office.
Steve Sarvi is running against Kline and will work hard to allow more students to go to college, unlike Kline who has been standing in their way.
As you all know, the cost of higher education has been rising at a significantly higher rate than the rate of inflation over the last couple decades.
Recent analysis suggests that the reason for this is the lack of accountability for higher education to control costs. They get so much money in the form of direct subsidies and low income student loans that they have no reason to control their costs.
Maybe it’s time to think about the alternatives to the way we’ve been doing things in the past? More money isn’t the answer to everything - let there be accountability and an openness to change.