Comments on: College Costs – Higher Education Failing our Students http://www.openeducation.net/2010/07/13/college-costs-higher-education-failing-our-students/ Free Education for All Fri, 13 May 2011 00:38:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: alisa jones http://www.openeducation.net/2010/07/13/college-costs-higher-education-failing-our-students/#comment-9280 alisa jones Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:51:28 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=3156#comment-9280 Techie, I agree with you completely. I managed to get through undergraduate without any students loans, then my first masters with a small student loan (which I did pay off.) Now, the second masters, I took a loan out towards the end, but working on my doctrate has been completely different. I don't even see how I'll pay these loans off, but I know it must be done. Techie,

I agree with you completely. I managed to get through undergraduate without any students loans, then my first masters with a small student loan (which I did pay off.) Now, the second masters, I took a loan out towards the end, but working on my doctrate has been completely different. I don’t even see how I’ll pay these loans off, but I know it must be done.

]]> By: alisa jones http://www.openeducation.net/2010/07/13/college-costs-higher-education-failing-our-students/#comment-9279 alisa jones Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:43:15 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=3156#comment-9279 In examining how and where colleges spend their funds, I find it quite interesting, really alarming that students are subject to increases in tuition and fees, but see little return on their investment. Currently, I work for a community college system that works to maintain a stable financial reserve and avoid extreme debt. For example, major purchases and renovations are paid for upfront and funds from bond elections or making major purchases on term is not an option. Operating in this manner prohibits the college from turning to students to make the cost/expense of operating the college. In addition to not expecting students to finance every aspect of operations, the college continues to reinvest students through the development of new programs, increases in employees’ salaries, providing recent technology, and campus improvement projects. However, it would be interesting to take the time to thoroughly review the financial records. In examining how and where colleges spend their funds, I find it quite interesting, really alarming that students are subject to increases in tuition and fees, but see little return on their investment. Currently, I work for a community college system that works to maintain a stable financial reserve and avoid extreme debt. For example, major purchases and renovations are paid for upfront and funds from bond elections or making major purchases on term is not an option. Operating in this manner prohibits the college from turning to students to make the cost/expense of operating the college. In addition to not expecting students to finance every aspect of operations, the college continues to reinvest students through the development of new programs, increases in employees’ salaries, providing recent technology, and campus improvement projects. However, it would be interesting to take the time to thoroughly review the financial records.

]]> By: Jimmy Readospam http://www.openeducation.net/2010/07/13/college-costs-higher-education-failing-our-students/#comment-8968 Jimmy Readospam Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:16:38 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=3156#comment-8968 I believe that we should not blame the college and institutes for charging huge fees. The reason being price of things are escalating and if the colleges want to compete with the best institutes across the globe, then there is no fault in increasing the fees. As far as the students are concerned, they can definitely opt for the federal loans to pay for the tuition fees. For other expenses incurred at the college, they should work part time and if they do like this, I am sure that they would be able to afford the fees. And not to forget that the colleges also provide scholarships and grants to the meritorious people for their studies. I believe that we should not blame the college and institutes for charging huge fees. The reason being price of things are escalating and if the colleges want to compete with the best institutes across the globe, then there is no fault in increasing the fees.

As far as the students are concerned, they can definitely opt for the federal loans to pay for the tuition fees. For other expenses incurred at the college, they should work part time and if they do like this, I am sure that they would be able to afford the fees. And not to forget that the colleges also provide scholarships and grants to the meritorious people for their studies.

]]> By: Techie http://www.openeducation.net/2010/07/13/college-costs-higher-education-failing-our-students/#comment-8789 Techie Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:07:39 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=3156#comment-8789 College costs are ridiculous. For a student to get a decent education we have to enter the world with tens - if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. College costs are ridiculous. For a student to get a decent education we have to enter the world with tens – if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.

]]> By: Alisa Jones http://www.openeducation.net/2010/07/13/college-costs-higher-education-failing-our-students/#comment-8772 Alisa Jones Mon, 09 Aug 2010 07:13:00 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=3156#comment-8772 Given the student population and overall mission of a community college, it is by far my ideal work environment. With community colleges serving as the first and at times only exposure to higher education for the large portion of our students, I am often concerned and curious about how we spend our revenue. Thus, I think it is highly important to ensure these students receive a complete and beneficial educational experience. Does this mean spending more on the student services opposed to instruction or the opposite? Even though I understand the need for effective services, programs and activities outside of the classroom, it is the educational opportunities that attract students to a college campus, and the additional support services that may aide in their decision to remain enrolled. An ideal situation, which be an even distribution of funds for different areas, however the reality is at times these areas may have varying needs and eaqul spednin may not be possible. So, if I had to pick which area should be the focal point, I would have to go with instruction. This is where students should truly get their money worth. Given the student population and overall mission of a community college, it is by far my ideal work environment. With community colleges serving as the first and at times only exposure to higher education for the large portion of our students, I am often concerned and curious about how we spend our revenue. Thus, I think it is highly important to ensure these students receive a complete and beneficial educational experience. Does this mean spending more on the student services opposed to instruction or the opposite? Even though I understand the need for effective services, programs and activities outside of the classroom, it is the educational opportunities that attract students to a college campus, and the additional support services that may aide in their decision to remain enrolled. An ideal situation, which be an even distribution of funds for different areas, however the reality is at times these areas may have varying needs and eaqul spednin may not be possible. So, if I had to pick which area should be the focal point, I would have to go with instruction. This is where students should truly get their money worth.

]]> By: Julie Carle http://www.openeducation.net/2010/07/13/college-costs-higher-education-failing-our-students/#comment-8670 Julie Carle Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:41:27 +0000 http://www.openeducation.net/?p=3156#comment-8670 Hi Thomas, you may enjoy the subtle humour from Bob and Sue as they discuss issues around returning to Higher Education as adult students and the frustrations they face from a UK Education networking site http://cloudworks.ac.uk/cloud/view/4103 Hi Thomas, you may enjoy the subtle humour from Bob and Sue as they discuss issues around returning to Higher Education as adult students and the frustrations they face from a UK Education networking site http://cloudworks.ac.uk/cloud/view/4103

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