It would be great if the “reporters” dove into these staged events. Who is selected? Why? Do they have scholarships, financial aid? Members of? Can any student attend? Can anyone ask questions? Are these events compatible with the free exchange of ideas? How much are we spending? Has that changed? How has the overhead of these institutions changed?
Emily Hamer, writing in the Badger Herald is better than the full time reporter. Her story:
While all students thought there should be additional aid for students, Courtney McCourt, a UW junior, said she did not think college should be free, as the third bill in Baldwin’s package aims to do. She said students work hard to go to college, and should have to contribute to their education, even if students who are more disadvantaged need more help.
Samuel Park, a UW sophomore, said he thinks part of the problem is that students from low-income backgrounds often don’t even consider college an option. He said financial literacy needs to improve, starting in middle school and high school, because most students don’t understand high interest rates associated with private loans, how to fill out a tax form or the FAFSFA and aren’t aware of all aid options.
Baldwin said she might try to advance her proposal by adding it to the sprawling federal Higher Education Act, which Congress is working to reauthorize.
“Shame on us if we don’t use that as an opportunity to talk broadly about helping young people get the preparation they need for a bright start in life,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin told senators opposed to her bill to “listen to your constituents” on the cost of higher education.
One of the nine students who attended Tuesday’s meeting, sophomore Samuel Park, said he works 30 hours per week to put himself through school. For Park and other students who don’t come from wealthy backgrounds, he said, those hours take time away from their studies or extracurricular activities that could help them find jobs after they graduate.
“How am I supposed to take on volunteer work or unpaid internships or other activities that are supposed to help build resumés … when you’re supposed to be working?” Park said.
Question Free at a Russ Feingold and Elizabeth Warren UW-Madison event.