Tuition plan is a major mistake

Tuition plan is a major mistake

Steering college students toward a degree based on their bankbook is not only wrong, but also would further separate post-secondary institutions from delivering top quality programs, no matter what the major might be.

Another education task force, which was put into motion by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, is proposing a tuition freeze for students majoring in high-demand fields, such as engineering and biology, while those whose passions might be tied to a different profession, let’s say journalism, will pay more for their education. The reasoning, according to state officials, is the lower cost should provide a greater incentive for students to enter the fields where there is need.

This is backward-thinking. If the state wants to look at differential tuition, then the premium fields should demand the highest price tag because the future financial reward will be greater.

The task force also is sending a very disturbing message. Are officials saying that an engineer or doctor is more important to a productive society than an elementary school teacher? We hope not. It becomes even more irrational to think that an education task force wants to financially penalize someone whose interest is to build the educational foundation of a young child who may one day become the engineer benefiting from a discounted college degree.

We understand the importance of directing students to jobs that are in demand based on the science, technology, engineering and math profile. We know companies are searching for top-quality men and women who race out of college well-prepared to take over these highly skilled positions. Good doctors, engineers, technology experts will always be in high demand and command the biggest bucks because of the preciseness of the work they need to perform.

Education experts at the recent The News-Press education summit highlighted the importance of universities working with the business community, both locally and globally, to develop students ready to drive the workforce to new heights, and nothing should deter that mission.

The point was made that two students could be sitting in the same classroom, elbow to elbow, one paying less for their education and the other more, based on their major. Is one more important than the other based on a career path that may bring them more money? No. Career accomplishments are not always measured by the size of one’s paycheck, but in the value of the work produced and the skills acquired that enables that person to make a difference. The elementary school teacher who fights to keep pace with changing economic conditions, but manages to positively influence a young student’s life, leaves a far greater mark than one who manages to put in time at a high-paying job, but has little to show for that big paycheck at the end of the day.

There also is the issue of changing demand. What if these high-demand fields fill up and other fields that may not make the list of premium majors now, but may one day have an employment shortage. Will universities adjust tuition to meet those needs?

There are schools, such as Cornell University, who take the more understandable approach, by charging higher tuition in fields that typically offer higher pay. It just makes sense. If you want the premium job, you should be willing to pay the premium price for that education.

Every student deserves a premium education at a cost that does not discriminate or keep someone from following their heart and choosing a lower-paying field because they do not want to pay higher tuition. It is an unbalanced educational philosophy.

Universities should be more focused on making sure a student is prepared for the workforce and ready for life, not on a price chart.

There is growing concern over escalating tuition costs, and we understand how important it is to make sure any student who wants to continue their educational studies can do so without going bankrupt.

Statewide, there are 188 baccalaureate programs offered in the high-demand fields, or approximately 37 percent of all majors. That means a majority of the students want to follow another career path. They should be able to do so without facing higher tuition payments.

Let’s get back to educating students, not picking favorites.