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Testimony,
CUNY Board of Trustees, June 16, 2003 Dr.
Lawrence Rushing, Professor, LaGuardia Community College
I
asked my introductory psychology students in three classes how the
imminent increase in tuition of $300 would affect them. They
were, almost without exception, unaware of the increase and
distraught at the hardship this would cause. Although almost
all of them have low incomes, few qualify for financial aid. The
bottom line to my students is that it does not matter if there are
improvements to the academic program that the $300 might result in
if they are unable to attend college and take advantage of them.
I promised that I would use my three minutes to let them express
their anguish to you. Their voices state eloquently that a
tuition increase is unconscionable.
I
am a single mother who not only is responsible for a child, but also
my grandmother. This is my first year of college at 27 years
old; before this I was unable to attend because the tuition was too
much for me to handle... I am trying to set an example to my
daughter that education is important and how am I supposed to do
that if I will not be able to afford it.
This
affects me because I don’t have a job. Family income is
almost none and paying for carfare there are some days when I
can’t afford to come to school. Less students will attend
and it shatters hopes and dreams of becoming someone. It kills
the American Dream. It will kill mine.
When
applying to classes this semester financial aid did not fully cover
me so I had to take all the money I had saved in the bank to pay the
difference in tuition. It has been very difficult trying to
accomplish a goal that seems to be moving further and further out of
my control.
...not
[having] an extra $300 in my pay check ...[will] make it difficult
for me to attend in the upcoming semester. This makes me angry
and frustrated that CUNY is raising their tuition when they know
that the highest percentage of students [have] financial problems.
I
have no financial aid and this change would lead me to drop out and
save up, to maybe continue next year. It just won’t be fair.
The
tuition increase will affect me because I am already paying cash for
school and my son’s school....I will have to work harder to pay
both school and childcare and work many more hours....
With
an increase of so much money it seems as if they are trying to
discourage students to attend college.
...my
next semester will be the fall at Queens College [when] my tuition
will be raised $800. This is one month’s rent for me.
I will have to give up on some classes in order to get more shifts
at work. I work as a waitress in a restaurant.
As
an international student I have already been confronted with
situations such as skipping the turnstile at the subway in order to
get to school, surviving on 50 cents noodles or working without
papers.
...at
my age [of 22] I’m...the only “Breadwinner” at home. In
supporting myself, my Mom, and my young brother, it’s very
difficult. I only hope
to be able to continue with my classes.
I...work
two jobs to make ends meet. I work seven days a week and have
very little time to study now. I probably will have to drop
out of school.
My
income is $200 per week. After the tax I have $150....
This $300 extra means that I don’t go to school again.
Education is only for rich people. The rest of us don’t need
to go to college.
If
the tuition goes up, I will be forced to get a second job, which
will stop me going to school full-time... As I will be graduating
after the fall semester and transferring to a 4 year CUNY school, it
looks even worse.
It has been difficult to attend college. I have been removed
from college 8 years before returning and money was what kept me
away.... I have been in school twice as long simply because I have
to work two jobs to survive and can only take a class or two each
semester. A rise in tuition is going to hinder me from
continuing. What a great country.
...it is immoral to hike the tuition at this moment, knowing that
many students are jobless and are having trouble paying for their
college tuition.
The increase of tuition will affect me a whole lot. I’m a
single mother who doesn’t get financial aid and doesn’t get help
from others. I have to pay for my education. I also have
to pay for my son’s pre-school. I don’t think [the
increase] is fair to the students. Why attack the people that
just want to get an education and better their lives?
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