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Obama calls for broad college tuition reform

Ann Arbor— President Barack Obama's rousing speech at the University of Michigan on Friday touched on an issue near and dear to students' hearts — the need for making higher education more accessible and affordable.

Even rain and snow before the event didn't dampen the spirits of the cheering crowd of about 4,000 in Al Glick Field House.

Sprinkling his comments with U-M references — shouting "Go Blue," calling his plan a blueprint ("I planned it that way, Michigan"), saying a U-M education is world-class and giving a shout-out to quarterback Denard Robinson — Obama talked about a plan he unveiled in his State of the Union address Tuesday.

While Obama was the morning's featured attraction, a few students took the stage first.

DeAndree Watson, president of the university's school assembly, said: "If we didn't live in a world that invested in higher education, I wouldn't be here. As a student from Detroit's east side and a product of the Detroit school system, I am here today to seek a world-class education — something that would not be possible without (investment in education)."

Grand Rapids sophomore Christina Beckman introduced the president.

Also on hand were Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Detroit City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Reps. John Conyers, Hansen Clarke and Gary Peters.

Obama's stop in Ann Arbor was the last in a three-day, five-state trip through battleground states that are critical to Obama's re-election.

"Higher education is not a luxury," Obama said. "It's an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford. And when I say higher education, I don't just mean four-year colleges and universities; I also mean our community colleges. …"

Drawing on his own experience and that of his wife, Michelle, the president told the crowd: "Your president and your first lady were in your shoes, not that long ago. We didn't come from wealthy families. The only way we were able to achieve what we achieved is because we got a great education. We could not have done that unless we lived in a country that made a commitment to opening up that opportunity to all people."

Obama said he was "putting colleges on notice" by calling on Congress to shift federal aid to schools that do a better job keeping tuition affordable. Progress in those areas will be measured in "report cards" for colleges.

Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin attended the address.

"President Obama's emphasis on keeping higher education affordable is absolutely the right message at the right time," she said in a statement.

As president of the University of Michigan, Mary Sue Coleman also was on hand to welcome Obama and she said she strongly agreed with his call for states to boost their support for colleges.

In-state tuition at her school for undergraduates has reached $12,440 for freshmen and sophomores, and $14,046 for juniors and seniors. Certain programs, such as engineering, business and kinesiology, cost more. U-M has one of the highest tuition bills relative to the state's median household income.

"We've done a good job of trying to cut costs … but we have to have a reinvestment by the state and so that was very, very wonderful to hear that," she said in a meeting with members of the media after the speech.

Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Munoz said in a conference call with reporters after the speech that if Congress approves Obama's proposals, it would be first time in history that the federal government has tied campus aid to tuition policy.

Daniel Hurley, director of state relations and policy analysis for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, said while Obama should be applauded for his message, much of what the president is suggesting has been tried.

"When we move forward with continued reforms, we want to make sure they're value added and not duplicative," Hurley said. He added Obama's report card proposal to track tuition rates would put added strain on university officials.

Sandy Baum, consultant to the College Board, said in reality, there is little colleges can do regarding tuition.

"It is public colleges that have been increasing their prices most rapidly in recent years and they are doing this in response to declining per-student funding from states," Baum said in a written response to questions.

But the president has a plan for states, too.

Obama called on state leaders to "take responsibility" to encourage schools to keep tuition rates in line. By doing so, states can look forward to additional federal school funding.

A state like Michigan, however, might not be in a position to do that. While Gov. Rick Snyder supports the idea of making higher education available to more people, the state's financial predicament leaves little latitude. In the past decade, Michigan has cut more than $300 million for colleges and universities.

Last year, Snyder cut higher education funding by 15 percent.

"He had to make extremely difficult decisions in order to put the state's fiscal house in order," said Geralyn Lasher, Snyder's communications director, following the speech. "When that happens and the budget grows, we'll be able to readdress those cuts."

One parent was pleased to see Obama addressing the escalating cost of tuition.

"It's astronomical," said Ann Marie Aliotta, a Grosse Pointe Farms resident with two children in college and a third heading there in a few years. She did not attend Obama's speech.

It costs her and her husband at least $30,000 for both of her children to attend college, and that's after grants and loans.

Tuition cannot go unchecked, said Aliotta, a communications professional. "An educated population is critical not only for the economy, but for a good, healthy civilization."... READ MORE