Viewpoint

Smith proposal could hurt out-of-state students

I'm sure plenty of students are pleased to hear about Sen. Alma Wheeler-Smith's (D-Salem Twp.) proposal to create a free tuition proposal (also known as HELP), more than likely an unprecedented attempt at education reform in the state of Michigan. I agree wholeheartedly that college tuition is an extremely difficult obstacle to overcome for students wishing to obtain a strong education at a public university.

My concern with HELP is how Sen. Wheeler-Smith expects to create a free tuition system without a fairly broad quid pro quo stance on the issue. If we take tuition money from the University's hands, how can administration expect to maintain the strong academic reputation at state universities if we're losing millions of dollars per year? Obviously, this question has confronted supporters of the proposal; the April 4th Daily article ("Smith, College Democrats rally support"), provides no logical answer to this question. If the government was to offer an extra $13,000 tax break to every Michigan resident attending a state university, that's a bill of around $40 million per year that the state would need to cover. Legislation (and/or the public) would more than likely refuse to raise taxes. If the federal government has no more financial resources or cannot appropriate funding to Michigan schools without some "rule bending," the extra funding would have to come from some other resource. Unfortunately, the only other sources of income would be private donations from alumni or from the already-drained pockets of non-Michigan residents attending state-supported institutions.

Okay, I'm going to go out on a limb and be selfish for a second: My parents and I currently pay upwards of $27,000 per year to keep me at a college 2,000 miles away from home; this is by no means a simple task. Now, let's think reasonably here. If a Michigan resident is attending the University free of charge, should I be expected to foot the bill for his/her free education? Absolutely not.

In order for state institutions to maintain their ability to compete with the rest of the world, each entering class must be comprised of a student body from all walks of life. This obviously includes international and out-of-state students. But, if HELP were to be passed, the state would see fewer and fewer of these students sending in their enrollment deposits. Now, don't get me wrong here: I completely support free tuition, in any form, for students who are willing to exploit the resources at their respective universities. However, I cannot be expected to support a bill that directly punishes out of state students (students that don't pay taxes to the state of Michigan, mind you) for this "free" tuition policy. I'm sure several in-state students would agree as well, since the proposal may affect them as well.

According to Smith's November 29th statement to Gov. John Engler's commission, "Individual tax payers with an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less are eligible for HELP, joint tax filers with an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less also qualify for HELP." In other words, the in-state students whose families don't fit into these categories would probably expect a tuition hike too. Smith's constituents simply will not support a proposal as such, for it will most likely send more Michigan residents to out of state schools and close the doors on international students.

I plan on spending four-plus years at the University and I'm aware of the financial pinch my family will expect when I finish my education. Right now, I would definitely say that it's worth the money to stay at the University. But I'm sure it would make the University Board of Regents cringe if I had to transfer to an Ivy League school for the sole purpose of "saving money."

- This viewpoint was written by Engineering first-year student Matt Schaar.