Roundup: Week of March 5th March 9th

Goodbye, Affirmative Action. Hello, ____?

According to a new report, many state programs in Michigan may be in conflict with the recently enacted Proposal 2, which eliminated affirmative action practices in higher education and business. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission, commissioned by Governor Granholm, released a report that reviewed state programs and identified areas where existing race- or sex-conscious programs and legislation, such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, are at odds with Proposal 2. The report says there is uncertainty at colleges as to whether certain programs are exempt from elimination. In addition, questions are being raised about gender and minority specific scholarships. Publicly funded scholarships of this nature will most likely be eliminated as per Proposal 2, but no decision has been made about private scholarships administered at public universities and colleges. Jennifer Gratz, the plaintiff in Michigans landmark Supreme Court case and a key organizer of Proposal 2, said that using private money for gender and minority scholarships is permissible.

Long Needed Boost in State Per-Student Spending

The first increase in state and local per-student spending in over half a decade finally arrived for colleges and universities in the 2005-06 academic year. A study conducted by the State Higher Education Executive Officers found that state and local funding increased by 7.6 percent while enrollment rose by just 0.4 percent, creating a 5.1 percent increase in per-student spending. Since 2003, total state and local spending on higher education has been increasing. However, student enrollment has risen sharply, causing per-student spending to decrease or remain stagnant. This years increase, while a positive development, must be considered in a broader context. State and local per-student spending has been declining for the past five years, and spending is down an average of 14.2 percent from 2000-01. In addition, spending varies widely between states, often mirroring economic upturns and downturns. Only seven states spent more per-student last year than they did in 2000-01.

Additional Requirements for Academic Competitiveness Grant

A discussion paper presented to a federal rule-making panel last weekend asked the Department of Education to consider adding new eligibility requirements related to high school curriculum to federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) implementation. Starting in 2009, students would need to take four years of math, up from three, with at least two courses (three in 2010) above the Algebra I level, and two years of a foreign language, up from one, or one year of foreign language and an additional year of humanities, technology, or a different foreign language. The recommendation was not well received by the rule-making panel. Participants voiced concerns that the low-income students targeted for these grants likely attend high schools that do not offer such a rigorous curriculum. In addition, they questioned the addition of new requirements to a grant program that is already under-utilized.

Lavish Expenses for PHEAA Executives Made Public

Newly released spending records from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) have brought to light extravagant spending by the agencys executives. PHEAA finally complied last week, under court order, with an open records request by several news organizations for its spending records, including employees travel and entertainment expenses. Receipts show $45,000 spent on a Lear jet used to visit clients, $128 on a tuxedo for a black tie conference, and other unnecessarily extravagant spending on services for schmoozing clients. CEO Dick Willey apologized for the excessive charges, which are paid for with public funds, and promised to put a stop to them. Rep. Bill Adolph of Delaware, PHEAA Board Chair, expressed less remorse, noting the “mistake” but claiming there was no need to overreact. Governor Rendell, however, issued strong criticism of PHEAA and expressed shock at the loan agencys spending in the face of skyrocketing college tuition. Perhaps after Rendell, Adolph, and State Sen. Sean Logan meet to discuss the matter, well see just what Rendell meant when he said its time to “clean house.”

Low “Fees” Do Not Equal Access in California

A report released by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education challenges the notion that low tuition increases affordability and access for students. Californias community colleges traditionally have charged the lowest fees in the county, currently at $20 per credit hour. However, most students are struggling to pay for college because of the rising cost of housing, health care, child care, transportation, and academic supplies. Only 5 percent of college-related living expenses go towards tuition for most self-sufficient community college students in California. There is also concern that students are not well-informed about available financial aid. Only 15 percent of community college students in California receive Pell Grants, compared to 25 percent of similar students nationwide. The report recommends: slowly increasing tuition and using new funds to improve financial aid offices; increasing state funding for the Cal Grant; and creating a matching funds grant specifically for community college students.