New bill follows governor’s new emphasis on higher education
Congress is currently considering a bill designed to make it easier for students everywhere to pay for college.
The College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007, introduced on Nov. 9 of last year, would create minimum spending limits for states to spend on funding higher education as well as streamline the student loan application process and allow low-income students to receive Pell Grant scholarships year round.
“The College Opportunity and Affordability Act will continue this Congress’ year long effort to make college more affordable and accessible,” according to a statement from the Congressional Committee on Education and Labor released in November of 2007.
This Act dovetails with Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter’s recently announced emphasis on education. In his State of the State speech on Jan. 10, he said that the state would address the rising costs of getting a college education.
“From 2001 to 2006, no other state cut funding to higher education more than Colorado. The good news is we’re making progress. The Department of Higher Education is working closely with college presidents on a long term funding strategy,” Ritter said in his address according to a previous report from the Campus Press.
The governor’s office could not speculate on how the Act would effect the initiatives he is currently trying to put into effect.
“We don’t speculate on any legislation unless it’s been passed,” said Laura Chapin, a member of Governor Ritter’s press office. “We have no idea what a state bill will look like when it comes across [the Governor’s] desk, and this is federal legislation.”
Congressman Mark Udall of Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Boulder and CU, will likely support the bill when it comes time to vote.
“Congressman Udall has placed a high priority on making college affordable and accessible to all qualified young people in this country – it is a matter of economic competitiveness and a matter of national security,” Udall’s Press Secretary Heather Fox wrote in an e-mail to the Campus Press dated Jan. 18. “Congressman Udall will consider the merits of HR 4137, and if it is in keeping his goal of effectively making college more affordable and accessible to qualified students, he will likely support it.”
While any federal legislation would override Gov. Ritter’s initiatives, Udall has said he would keep the effect of the bill on the state’s programs in mind.
“[Congressman Udall] is aware that the governor has been very proactive in addressing education needs in Colorado. He commends the governor’s efforts,” Fox wrote further on in the e-mail. “Congressman Udall is a staunch supporter of local control. Any effect of federal legislation on the state of Colorado is always at the forefront of his decision making process.”
While there have been indications lately that CU is aiming toward becoming a more private institution, CU Associate Vice President of University Relations Ken McConnellogue believes that the intent of the Act is good.
“The intent to maintain state funding for higher education is good, more funding and more Pell Grant money is good,” McConnellogue said, although he was wary some of the negative implications the Act would have if passed.
“The thing I understand is that there’s a penalty if certain levels of states revenues for higher education aren’t met. The only time revenues go down is if there’s a recession. If we have a recession, state revenues go down and then federal revenues would go down, and that would be a double whammy,” McConnellogue said.
McConnellogue believes that the university will have to look at the Act more closely before it decides whether to support it or not.
“We have to get a better sense of what the effect of this will be on CU and the students,” McConnellogue said.
Contact Campus Press Reporter Rob Ryan at rryan@thecampuspress.com.
