The state of Florida is considering implementing a tier system for tuition. This means that certain majors would be offered at a lower cost (with the remainder subsidized by tax payers) in an effort to motivate more students to pursue careers in STEM. The argument in favor of this policy is to prepare more graduates for high-demand jobs that will bolster Florid's economy and make Florida business more globally competitive.
Although not inherently "racist," this policy devalues other disciplines of study such as arts, humanities and ethnic studies. Furthermore, students of color and women are severely underrepresented in STEM fields. This could mean that these already marginalized populations would be forced to pay more for school unless they choose a career in the math or sciences--areas of study that have traditionally not supported these students. What do you think of this policy? Should Florida implement it? What would be the impications? Do policies such as tiered tuition support a "public good" or "private return?"
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/10/education/florida-may-reduce-tuition-for-select-majors.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
“The higher education system needs to evolve with the economy,” said Mr. Brill, the president of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “People pay taxes expecting that the public good will be served to the greatest degree possible. We call that a return on investment.”
https://www.change.org/petitions/governor-rick-scott-protect-higher-education-in-florida
What does this mean? The central idea du jour emerging from the task force is a “differentiated tuition structure to support degree programs in strategic areas of emphasis.” The state, the task force argues, “should move away from uniform tuition rates … among all degree programs within a university.” Programs with no tuition increase would be those deemed “high skill, high demand, and high wage.” Liberal arts and social science topics (English, History, Political Science, Psychology, etc.) would cost students more, on the assumption that no one with such a degree has high skills, would ever be in high demand, and would ever earn a high wage, however “high” is defined. As Proctor himself put it on October 29, “English is not a strategic discipline.” As tuition for such non-strategic disciplines increases, these programs would be slowly phased out, or at least severely diminished, as more students seek “strategic degrees.” This new thinking will supposedly solve the financial problems of Florida’s universities while somehow improving the economy of the state.
Thanks for the post Jasmine!
ReplyDeleteI think Florida is trying to push STEM for the right reasons, however there are other ways to go about it. What you posted makes me think about those who want to pursue education (already an underpaid field). Those wanting to become teachers will be discouraged by the fact that they are already not going to make a lot of money, but now their tuition is going to be more.
Not to mention the fact that, as you mentioned, some students, specifically, women and students of color historically and generally don't excel in these fields. We are stifling their futures and their education possibilities.
In the post it says that "English is not a strategic discipline". I find this horrifying that people can determine, for others, what is a strategic degree or not. College is a time for exploration, not a time for funneling students into degrees we WANT them to pursue, and taking away their ability to choose for themselves and explore what they want.