FACING THE CRISIS IN PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION Sponsored
FACING THE CRISIS IN PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION Sponsored by Massachusetts State College Association - Salem Chapter In collaboration with Salem State University’s Office of the President, Center for Civic Engagement, First Year Experience, Student Government Association, Women’s Center, and the Massachusetts Teachers Association
The Reality Facing Students at Salem State Tuition and Fees $ 12, 000 Yearly Tuition and Fees at Salem State University have increased by about $8000 since 2001. This is part of a broader trend across Massachusetts State Universities: During that time period, tuition and fees, when adjusted for inflation, have increased 109% since 2001. 1 $ 10, 884 $ 10, 000 $ 8, 000 $ 6, 000 $ 4, 000 $ 2, 822 $ 2, 000 $- 2001 -2002 2018 -2019
The Reality Facing Students at Salem State Compared to FY 2001, students have had to work two times more hours to pay their tuition and fees. 2 Year SSU In-State Tuition & Fees (Excludes Room & Board) MA Minimum Wage Hours of Work Needed for Tuition & Fees * Weekly Hours of Work needed for Tuition & Fees (During Academic Year)** 2001 $ 2, 822 $ 6. 75 475 16 2019 $10, 884 $11. 00 1, 124 37 * Assumes a 12% tax burden **Assumes a 30 week academic year
Why? A major driver is declining state support for public higher education in MA When adjusted for inflation, state spending on higher education per resident student dropped by 32% from $12, 500 in 2001 to $8, 500 in 2018. 3
Financial Aid has dropped too The commonwealth has reduced funding for scholarship programs from $150 million in 2001 to only $102 million in 2018, when adjusted for inflation. 4 Eleven other states provide free tuition (full time for two years) at community college which increases enrollment, retention and graduation rates from both community college and four year colleges.
What does this mean for our students? ● A consequence of our state’s disinvestment from public higher education is the perpetuation of racial and socio-economic disparities in college access, success, and income. ● Without significantly increased state funding, institutions like Salem State are faced with reductions in programming, fewer class offerings, larger class sizes, and a reduction in the number of full time and adjunct faculty.
What does this mean for our students? ● Students struggle to afford college; they work too many hours while enrolled as students and this impacts academic engagement “ I feel that I am on this wheel: go to class, go to work, pay the bills, go to class, go to work. It is hard to balance rent, tuition, living expenses. I feel that I miss out on important educational opportunities that are happening because I have to run off to work. ” Psychology Grad Student “I spend a lot of time working to afford the education I am getting. Not only has this impacted the quality of my work, it has also affected my mental and physical health, due to the amount of stress I am under. ” Education Major
What does this mean for our students? ● Between 30% and 40% of the average class in public higher education institutions in Massachusetts are now food insecure and experience housing insecurity. 5 “Yes, there have been a lot of times since my enrollment that I’ve been food insecure. ” Biology Major
What does this mean for our students? ● College retention and graduation rates are affected “My family and I cannot afford to pay my tuition here at Salem State”. World Languages Major “My friend Kevin took a medical leave-of-absence fall semester sophomore year, lost his financial aid, and couldn’t come back. ” Biology Major “I’m stressed about how I am going to pay for next semester” Undeclared Major
What does this mean for our graduates? ● Student debt has increased 6 “Today I stand at a 20 thousand deep in college loans. My mother is a single parent of 3 kids, meaning that she didn't have enough money to save up for college. I am a firstgeneration college student, embarking on this journey alone. ” Sophomore Social Work Major
Changes in student debt burden in Massachusetts are extraordinary In 2004, MA public 4 -year colleges and universities boasted the 2 nd-lowest average student loan debt in the nation. By 2016, our state’s students had the 10 th highest average student loan debt nationwide. 7 Comparison is adjusted for cost of living.
Another reason to increase funding for public higher education ● For every $1 the state spends on public higher education, it receives a total of $4. 50 back in Increased tax revenue Decreased social service spending Source: “Don’t Stop Believin’ (in the value of a college degree)” U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor 8
Please Support ● ● The PROMISE Act for meaningful investment for successful and equitable K-12 education which is a prerequisite for successful public higher education. The CHERISH Act to insure a strong and healthy public higher education system for the Commonwealth.
Students/faculty/community suggestions for what additional public funding could do ● ● ● Reduce tuition and fees Increase financial aid (scholarships/ not loans) Reduce or eliminate other costs such as parking fees and course materials Build new science labs and modernize older buildings on campus Maintain or reduce class size to support high impact teaching practices Support new and existing academic programs, support services and co-curricula (i. e. , student clubs) ● More rather than fewer course offerings, which would remove obstacles for graduation ● Make campus dining and living on campus more affordable to serve students who can’t commute or have tenuous housing back home. ● Free application to all public campuses ● Lower costs and increased quality would attract more enrollment
Links to Sources 1. https: //records. salemstate. edu/sites/records/files/reports/2017 -04/FY 04 -Linear_Trends. pdf & https: //www. salemstate. edu/admissions-and-aid/tuition-and-fees 2. https: //ram. memberclicks. net/assets/docs/minimum%20 wage%20 graph%202018. pdf 3. Thompson, J. (March, 2018). “Educated and Encumbered: Student Debt Rising with Higher Education Funding Falling in Massachusetts”, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. 4. Thompson, J. (March, 2018). “Educated and Encumbered: Student Debt Rising with Higher Education Funding Falling in Massachusetts”, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. 5. https: //www. washingtonpost. com/news/wonk/wp/2018/04/03/the-hidden-crisis-on-college-campuses-36 -percent-ofstudents-dont-have-enough-to-eat/? noredirect=on&utm_term=. 5 e 54411223 f 1 6. Thompson, J. (March, 2018). “Educated and Encumbered: Student Debt Rising with Higher Education Funding Falling in Massachusetts”, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. 7. Thompson, J. (March, 2018). “Educated and Encumbered: Student Debt Rising with Higher Education Funding Falling in Massachusetts”, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. 8. https: //edlabor. house. gov/imo/media/doc/FINAL%20 VALUE%20 OF%20 COLLEGE%20 REPORT. pdf Thank you to the MSCA Chapter at Bridewater State University for the Teach-in template and all the Salem State faculty, students, and staff who contributed to this presentation.
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