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St. Cloud State University
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Commentary
Private colleges unfairly favored
By Carol Seavey
Published:
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Carol Seavey -- Staff Essay
It seems as though the budget woes will never end, especially for higher education.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed to cut $25 million from the University of Minnesota and another $25 million from Minnesota State College and University Systems.
Many from SCSU and other public colleges went to the capital Feb. 12 for Lobby Day. Hundreds of students tried to get the legislators to understand the importance of affordable public higher education.
The legislators I met acted concerned, but were not very encouraging. They basically said that if you want an education, you are going to have to pay for it.
Last Monday, SCSU administrators held a town hall budget meeting. Diana Burlison, associate vice president of administrative affairs explained that this feeling is a new trend.
"There's been a shift away from the idea of education as a social good to education as a private good," she said. "What that means is if you go (to college) you pay for it."
This makes me wonder why this new 'you want it you pay for it' attitude does not apply to private colleges. The governor seems to favor private colleges.
Gov. Pawlenty's new budget would transfer $60 million from MnSCU to state grants, if passed.
MnSCU distributes money to public two and four year colleges and universities in the state.
State grants, on the other hand, are given to students at both public and private colleges. The amount of money grants are for is determined by the percentage of a student's tuition. Since tuition is higher at private colleges, it costs more money to reach the same percentage as a public school student. About 52 percent of state grant money goes to students at private colleges.
Tuesday, students from private colleges lobbied at the state capitol for more state grant money.
The St. Cloud Times ran a story about it featuring students at St. Benedict and St. John's University (CSB-SJU) who don't want to be labeled as wealthy. They claimed that most students come from moderate-income families and encouraged legislators to give more money to state grants, because it helps them the most.
If this section of the budget proposal passes, private colleges will get more than half of the $60 million.
Leslie Pesarchick, a student at St. Benedict told the St. Cloud Times that her mom only makes $19,000 a year.
"But I've always wanted to go to private school," Pesarchick said, "I've always wanted the best education."
Don't we all want the best education? I know I do. Although I feel I am getting a great education in the public sector, if I had had the resources I would have considered going to a private college.
I guess people really do get what they pay for. If students feel that they can only get the best education at private colleges, then they are going to have to pay for it.
Public money should not compensate for people who choose to go to private school.
So, why doesn't the 'you want it you pay for it' attitude apply to private colleges? They're the ones that want only the best and they should be willing to pay for it.
Legislature needs to reconsider Gov. Pawlenty's recommendation to transfer $60 million dollars from MnSCU to state grants. If passed, a move like that would cause public higher education to receive less funding, increasing problems.
Students at public colleges should not have to pay higher tuition so that private college students can get grants.
If you want an education you will have to pay for it. Those who feel you get what you pay for and choose private school, choose to pay for that advantage.
