2008 Woodie Awards
'Single Definition' Creates Multiple Problems
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: Editorials
- Page 1 of 1
This fall Congress should seriously change the language in The Higher Education Act defining private trade schools under the single definition of "institute of higher education."
If passed, Title VI, the new proposal within the HEA, would open up billions of dollars to for-profit schools.
This proposal would severely impact our nation's community colleges and is simply not acceptable.
Despite surging enrollments and funding for federal programs slashed. It would be irresponsible for Congress to give away what is now public schools dollars to for-profit schools.
Stockholders and owners of for-profit institutions argue that they need theses funds to better serve students. However, trade school should not fall under the umbrella of "institution of higher education."
There's no argument that these for-profit schools serve many needy students. But these same schools are privately owned. They have shareholders who make money on investments. The more students going to for-profit schools, more cash is granted for their investors.
Citrus has no shareholders in the college and the mere idea of making accessible billions of dollars more to trade schools is a disservice to needy students in community colleges across the nation that depend on public education for achieving their own" higher education" goals
In 1965 Congress enacted the Higher Education Act. The HEA is one of the most important pieces of federal legislation for higher education.
This law must be reviewed periodically or reauthorized, and 2004 is the time for one such Congressional review.
If Congress passes this proposal, it would further water down our resources for nonprofit schools and send a clear message to community college students that Congressional leaders are giving in to giant lobbying and special interest.
Citrus and many other community colleges in the San Gabriel Valley oppose the new amendments to the law.
This fall, perhaps Congress can remind themselves before their Fall recess that higher education should take priority and look at the new proposals under the single definition that would affect the way federal funds are given to trade schools over public schools.
Such changes in the Higher Education Act would negatively affect funding for special programs such as, community education and job training.
The single definition proposal must not pass. Congress needs to do what is right by refusing to give in to special interest groups and support public higher education.
If passed, Title VI, the new proposal within the HEA, would open up billions of dollars to for-profit schools.
This proposal would severely impact our nation's community colleges and is simply not acceptable.
Despite surging enrollments and funding for federal programs slashed. It would be irresponsible for Congress to give away what is now public schools dollars to for-profit schools.
Stockholders and owners of for-profit institutions argue that they need theses funds to better serve students. However, trade school should not fall under the umbrella of "institution of higher education."
There's no argument that these for-profit schools serve many needy students. But these same schools are privately owned. They have shareholders who make money on investments. The more students going to for-profit schools, more cash is granted for their investors.
Citrus has no shareholders in the college and the mere idea of making accessible billions of dollars more to trade schools is a disservice to needy students in community colleges across the nation that depend on public education for achieving their own" higher education" goals
In 1965 Congress enacted the Higher Education Act. The HEA is one of the most important pieces of federal legislation for higher education.
This law must be reviewed periodically or reauthorized, and 2004 is the time for one such Congressional review.
If Congress passes this proposal, it would further water down our resources for nonprofit schools and send a clear message to community college students that Congressional leaders are giving in to giant lobbying and special interest.
Citrus and many other community colleges in the San Gabriel Valley oppose the new amendments to the law.
This fall, perhaps Congress can remind themselves before their Fall recess that higher education should take priority and look at the new proposals under the single definition that would affect the way federal funds are given to trade schools over public schools.
Such changes in the Higher Education Act would negatively affect funding for special programs such as, community education and job training.
The single definition proposal must not pass. Congress needs to do what is right by refusing to give in to special interest groups and support public higher education.