Teen Observer Archive

July 14, 2017

Free Tuition at the University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is providing a way for low-income in-state students to access free college tuition through a new program called the “Go Blue Guarantee,” according to the Detroit Free Press. Beginning in January of 2018, this program will be accessible to Michigan students whose family’s annual income is $65,000 or less.

According to Rick Fitzgerald, the University of Michigan’s Public Affairs Director, the program only applies to in-state students because, as a public, state-funded university, it provides greater financial aid for Michigan’s citizens only. He said the U of M is Michigan’s only state university that will provide all the financial expenses needed for a student to graduate. To be eligible for the program, however, the student must study at the Ann Arbor campus.

Fitzgerald said there is an unlimited amount of students who can participate in the program, and there is no scheduled end date. The university’s financial aid account, which is a part of the school’s general fund budget, will provide the funding for the program.

According to Fitzgerald, the financial aid for this school year was increased by 9.5 percent, allowing more students to go to college without worrying about the cost of tuition. State funding, tuition revenue, the indirect cost recovery on sponsored research, and donors support the financial budget.

The program will cost the school between 12 and 16 million dollars annually, reported the Detroit Free Press. In-state transfer students are eligible to apply for the free tuition. Although it is only available to undergraduate students, graduate students are still permitted to apply for other means of financial aid.

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of attending a four-year university in Michigan is $17,159.38.

Rachel Ussery, a student at American University, said “every state should have free public education.” Because of the expensive tuition fees, Ussery said she “could have debt until 40” and that her future finance and career goals are not looking bright.

A student activities manager at American University, Ebonie Smith, “disagrees,” saying not every college should be free, and free colleges would “affect the salary of taxes negatively.”

The “Go Blue Guarantee Statement” provides specific reasoning as to why the program is being enforced. Time will tell how many students and families will benefit and what the cost to the state and other affected parties will be.

July 14, 2017

Miami-Dade College’s American Dream Scholarship is paving the way for high school students to attain free education

Since the late 1970’s, college tuition has been on the rise, making families from various financial situations stressed out over the cost of the college their child wants to go to.

Figure 1: This graph depicts just how alarming the rise of college tuition is and where it is expected to go from here(Source: www.hamiltonproject.org/charts/the_rising_cost_of_college

Just in this past decade, there has been a rise in free in free colleges, with community colleges offering scholar ships that covers tuition, therefore making college more affordable for students unable to afford going into higher education.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of going to a 4-year college or university in the State of Florida sits at $17,520.83. That cost along with room and board would make any low-income family unable to afford sending their child to a college or university in Florida. That is why there are colleges in Florida such as Miami Dade College that tackled head-on with this issue by creating the American Dream Scholarship.

The American Dream Scholarship was offered in 2010 for students in the Miami Dade county that are unable to attend college because of various financial situations.Prior to this scholarship, the college first offered free tuition to anybody that was accepted to the Honors College. This scholarship gives more students in the Miami-Dade county a chance to be able to go to college without worrying about the tuition. Eligibility for this scholarship is simple and concise: “students must have a 3.0 GPA, complete the FAFSA, must be going into college, have a high school diploma, meet the minimum score for standardized tests, reside in the Miami Dade county.(www.ciecambridge.org/ourpages/auto/2016/3/2/48628956/COLLEGE%20SCHOLARSHIPS.docx )”

President of Miami Dade College Eduardo Padron strongly advocates for “expanding college opportunities for low-income, minority, and immigrant youth.(http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article5750811.html )” In regards to the school atmosphere, Padron said in an 2016 interview with the Miami Herald, “This is the place that opens the doors and gave me self-esteem and self-confidence…In this community, this is a college that has touched almost everyone.”

Since becoming president of the college in 1995, he has dedicated his life to giving people in the Miami-Dade community an opportunity to be able to attain a college education.

High School students are also noting the upward trend of free tuition. Eric Rodriguez, a high school sophomore from Orlando, FL, said that “students should have the right to a free education.”

Miami Dade College is not the only school that is offering free tuition to high school students. In fact, there are colleges in Florida that are doing the same such as Broward Community College.

But Miami Dade College is unique because of the fact that it has been advocating for free education since 2002, and with this scholarship, it is giving high school students a chance to go to college tuition-free that they would not have been able to receive.

July 14, 2017

Broward College Raising Tuition after State Funding Cuts

The Broward community college works with many high schools in Broward county to give students the opportunity to take free college classes. The program was created to try and help kids who will not be able to get a college education otherwise, have one. According to the 2016-2017 budget plan state funding has been cut over 50% since 2007.

While the Net Price for college in Florida is $17,520, the price of tuition for Broward community college is $8,882, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This is a high tuition for a community college that does not provide room and board for students.

“Broward College modestly raised tuition for the first time in three years to support new programs,” states Sun Sentinel in a report about Broward College raising their tuition fees. Broward College President J. David Armstrong declined to comment.

High school students can use the dual enrollment program to graduate with their associates degree when they know they do not have the means to go to college and/or when they want to get ahead in class rankings.

Many people have mixed feelings about the dual enrollment program. According to Emma Spaide, a student from American University, dual enrollment can be helpful “if you are looking to graduate early,” but it may “disrupt the college experience.” Out of the 43,078 students that attend the community college, only about 30% of the students actually graduate, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Not only does the dual enrollment program change the college experience for high school students, but it also does so for the college students in the classes. “Some programs target students at risk of dropping out,” U.S News reported. It may be disrupting to the learning of college students who pay to be there when high school students take these classes.

July 14, 2017

Free College is not in the near future for Montana

Officials in Montana choose not to prioritize free college in the upcoming years because they would rather keep tuition prices low, according to the Director of Financial Aid at the University of Montana, Kent McGowan.

“The Montana State Legislature shows no interest in Financial Aid Programs, and would like to keep college affordable by keeping tuition prices low,” said McGowan. There are other ways to make college affordable, including scholarships, tuition waivers, and Financial Aid programs. The average tuition price is $14,796 to attend a 4 year college in Montana, according to College Navigator.

Records show that the U of M budgeted $12 Million for financial aid, scholarships, and tuition waivers in 2017, and went over the budget by thousands of dollars. McGowan said this is due to an inaccurate prediction of funds available. The other leading university in Montana budgeted $23 million, but only used $21 million in 2016.

Claire, an American University student, was enrolled in an AU Scholars Program that cut a third of the tuition fee through a political leadership program. She believes financial aid and academic waivers are beneficial, and can help more students attend college, in order to have a career.

MSU and U of M provide many scholarship opportunities for students to attend college. Some of these are offered upon acceptance, while others must be requested during enrollment,according to College Scholarships.Org. The tuition waivers have specific criteria that can make a student eligible to apply. Scholarships can be offered through the college, or by departments such as art, music, sports, etc. These universities also offer work-study to lower the cost of tuition for students.

Montana has no interest in free college currently, but the Director of Financial Aid at MSU, Brandi L. Payne said she hopes to achieve it someday. According to CNBC, Montana has the third cheapest tuition rates in the country.

July 14, 2017

Diverse social groups extend learning about cultures

People interviewed in Northwest Washington, D.C. agreed on Wednesday that diversity is necessary in social groups in order for people to have a better understanding of different cultures.

Though some did not have diversity within their circle of friends, all believed that it presents an opportunity to learn and appreciate differences within other individuals.

Students from various backgrounds sit in Starbucks together between classes. By Courtney Williams.

“You can only improve yourself and your understanding by stepping out of your comfort zone,” said Andrew Griffin, 37.

Those in diverse groups say that their friends have given them a view of the world from a different perspective. People say they enjoy learning about different customs and traditions.

They are able to talk about experiences of their friends that they know they may never have. At times people agree that it can be harder to understand each other’s different viewpoints but encourages them to have an open mind to different perspectives.

Kaylee Hillard, 21, was shocked when she left her hometown of Dallas, Pennsylvania.

With a graduating class of approximately 100 students, Hillard described her small town as mostly white and conservative with a very “one way of thinking.”

She says coming to American University in Washington D.C. with students from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds made her think her town was “close-minded.” Hillard now has a diverse friend group and believes diversity has taught her about the way others think.

Those in more homogeneous groups say that having friends with similar cultural backgrounds makes it easier to relate to each other. They also share similar past experiences. Many said it was also based on comfort and finding a support system that fits their needs.

Dani Derosario, 18, a Filipino student at American University, was born in the Philippines and later immigrated to the United States.

“Coming to the United States and finding a community that I really fit in and felt like home was important to me,” Derosario said.

July 14, 2017

Campus arboretum staff brings bees back

flower on campus — A bee lands on a flower outside McKinley Building. By Nick Nimkoff.

WASHINGTON, DC–American University officials are focused on the preservation of bees because of their integral role in the pollination of various plants on campus, which is an arboretum.

The bee population worldwide is dying quickly and the number of dead is only growing with each passing year, according to Bee Informed Partnership, a research consortium. This is due to the use of pesticides on plants which end up killing the bees.

“We are very much aware of the threat to pollinators and as an arboretum always consider this when selecting our plantings,” said Stephanie Destefano, grounds operations coordinator at American University’s arboretum.

For the first time in history humans are faced with a dire challenge concerning insect population, keeping the ever- shrinking bee population alive. The use of pesticide within the farming community has grown more and more concerning over the years for what its side effects entail. The most major side effect of course being the killing of bees.

According to the Bee Informed Partnership, the total loss of bees in 2015-2016 is 44 percent of their population. Which is up from its loss the previous year which they estimated at 3 percent lower, which makes the situation all the more dire for us.

Residents of campus as well as in the Tenleytown area of Washington, D.C. were mixed about their knowledge of bees and colony loss.

“No one realizes how important the bee population is for the future of our planet and our ecosystems,” said Rachel Ussery, 21, a leader of the community garden at American University, about the importance of bees.

Destefano said the campus is careful in its use of pesticides.

So while the bee population is dying out quickly, some people said they are more and more aware of the risks to bees.

Kylie Cameron, an advocate for the bee population, said, “I will scream if someone tries to kill a bee.”

July 14, 2017

Religious practices prove difficult in transition to college

A stained glass window inside of the Kay Spiritual Center. By Sydney Hoover

WASHINGTON, D.C.–American University students and staff interviewed this week agreed that remaining faithful to their religious identity is a struggle due to the pressure of college life and the numerous responsibilities that come with it.

For the majority of college students living away from home, this is the first time in their lives they are being faced with having to attend religious services without their families.

“I was not able to attend church as often in college mainly due to the fact that it was hard to balance it into my schedule,” said Megan Brew.

Observant students may feel the pressure to maintain family traditions and rituals they grew with, causing them to push their schoolwork aside. For other students their determination and dedication to their schoolwork is easily able to conflict with religious holidays.

As an outcome of these competing demands, some students will choose to distance themselves from their religion by stop going to services altogether, while others may continue to go but much less frequently.

In her book Sex and the Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance and Religion on America’s College Campuses, Donna Freitas says keeping religious traditions alive at campus is complicated especially when their morals are challenged by the pressure of sex.

“The key question is not so much why and how spirituality and religion are apportioned among the college population but how religious and spiritual beliefs, practices, and affiliations are affected (if at all) when sex is added to the mix- and vice versa,” Freitas wrote.

It’s difficult for some students searching for the perfect religious group on campus that fulfills all their needs and matches the community many left behind at home.

“There is not a youth group on campus that has everything I was looking for,” said Anne Shannon, 22, a graduate student majoring in Global Governance Political and Security at American University.

American University has an interfaith chapel at the heart of their campus, the Kay Spiritual Life Center, in order to provide a place for the sharing of different faiths and denominations.

“The center is doing a lot of good work despite it being hard to get college students out on Sunday evenings for hour-long services,” said Rachel Williams 22, a graduate student at the School of International Service at American University.

Mark Schaefer the University Chaplain at American University for the Kay Spiritual Life Center works to keep spirituality alive throughout the campus.

“I hope students learn to have a greater appreciation and understanding of religious diversity as well as gaining a sense of community across religious lines,” said Chaplain Schaefer.

July 14, 2017

New Jersey Stands Undecided On “Free College” Debate

(Matt Rainey/The Star-Ledger A photograph of Rochelle Hendricks)

New Jersey Legislators have left the issue of free college unanswered ever since the topic was brought up in debate; Many think the discussion is unnecessary, according to state lawmakers.

Rochelle Hendricks, the state secretary of higher education, told Nj.com that, in terms of financial aid, she thinks “we are cutting edge in a lot of ways.” The general consensus of lawmakers seems to be that New Jersey’s financial aid program is already doing an acceptable job assisting student with their tuition.

Gabriel Charette, executive director of the student loan program, said “I don’t think we are prepared to discuss the New York plan,” at the state’s annual senate hearing on higher education, “I think that there is a lot that needs to be studied.” However, citizens in others states appear to have a different stand.

“I don’t think college should be at the rate that it is,” said Almasi, a Life Safety Technician from D.C. “You pay so much money to get in; How are you supposed to pay for housing and all?”

New Jersey’s Most Expensive Colleges

University Name:	Net Price ($):
Thomas Edison State University	37,200
Stevens Institute of Technology	37,100
Caldwell University	32,800
Georgian Court University	31,600

(not accounting for books, rooms, board, etc.) Source: nj.com

New Jersey’s terms for student loans and financial aid have been deemed the strictest in the country by a ProPublica and New York Times investigation. The state also has some of the most expensive schools in the country.

With the average income per capita in New Jersey being around $57,900, and the average tuition fee for public colleges being $37,600, financial aid will become a need for most students who apply.

July 14, 2017July 14, 2017

Mixed views on gender neutral bathrooms as city asks for help #safebathroomsdc

WASHINGTON, D.C.–District of Columbia residents hold mixed feelings about gender neutral bathrooms, which are appearing with greater frequency throughout the city as officials with the Office of Human Rights track compliance.

Gender inclusive bathrooms have been an issue prevalent in the district, where laws require facilities with public restrooms to make all stalls gender neutral.

But, despite a backlash in North Carolina last year over its restrictive laws, some here still say they feel their safety could be jeopardized.

“I wouldn’t be certain whether there are other people I might not be comfortable with inside these bathrooms with my girls,” said Bryan Pascual, 49, a father of three, who said his daughters use public restrooms without him.

Pascual also fears that if these bathrooms are installed in schools different sexes would have access to the same bathrooms where there are no security cameras or teacher supervision.

Nationwide, older Americans and those who are more religious believe people

A gender inclusive bathroom on the American University campus. By Dina Sapiro

should use bathrooms that correspond to the gender they were born to.

The idea of separate facilities for just men and women has been deeply rooted in the ideals of the public, damaging those in our society that identify as transgender and gender nonconforming, according to an expert in the field.

Research by Jody L. Herman from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law showed that people in the district identifying as LGBT are more likely to experience discrimination. More than two thirds of respondents in her study reported experiencing at least one instance of verbal harassment in gender-segregated bathrooms. Some faced violence.

Knowing what transgender people face, the district Office of Human Rights is taking on the issue.

“Public bathrooms are never enjoyable, but for transgender people and many others, using a public bathroom can be a highly stressful and even dangerous experience,” the Office’s website reads.

It’s asking for the public’s help identifying bathrooms in the city that aren’t compliant with its policy. Using #safebathroomsdc, people can tell the office about restrooms that are still gender-specific.

#safebathroomsdc twitter page By Dina Sapiro

20 year old American University student Michael Mannello supports gender neutral bathrooms and has noticed that people in the district are not aware enough that gender is ambiguous for some people.

Mannello comes from a conservative background and does understand the reservations some might hold on the issue, but to Mannello it’s just a bathroom and “at the end of the day, if I got to pee, I got to pee.”

July 14, 2017July 20, 2017

Architecture on college campuses influences atmosphere for students

WASHINGTON, D.C –Students and alumni say that both the architecture and atmosphere of their college campuses have enriched their educational experiences.

Most interviewed this week in Northwest Washington, D.C. said that traditional campus architecture–those schools with brick and stone buildings–has character and helps tell the story of the university’s history.

“You get a true sense of the institution,” said Philip Brown who had attended Howard university. “It had an inviting atmosphere with the interior design and structure of the buildings there, which provided a place for a more positive learning experience.”

They also believe that historic architecture can signal the university’s renowned academic status.

Campus atmosphere–including well-tended gardens and green space some called “homey”–was another significant factor to contribute to people’s desire to attend certain colleges.

A 2011 University of Rhode Island report of its Admissions Advisory Committee noted campus curb appeal matters to admissions decisions.

Rick Hesel, the Principal of the Arts and Sciences group at the University of Rhode Island, advises other institutions that it is very important to make a good first impression with the overall image and appearance of the campus.

Campus tour — Families on a campus tour of American University, Friday, July 14. By Elle Rosse.

“When I attended Towson University, there will new residential buildings that had been built. They were gorgeous and they really lead to a more organized, clean feel,” said Kim Kinner of Washington D.C.”

A beautiful and well – manicured campus can also attract more students despite possibly having a bad location.

Elizabeth Herzfeldt of Kalamath Oregon who attended Pacific Lutheran University, said “The campus was located in a bad part of town, so the well – groomed campus was very eye – catching.”