The mission of TRIO is to provide baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate opportunities by offering academic and financial support, pathways, and research opportunities that help students realize the dream of higher education. TRIO programs help students level the playing field by providing the cultural capital needed to navigate the college and post-baccalaureate preparation and application process.
Budget cuts threaten the future of this program, as the federal government is set to seize 43 million dollars from TRIO on March 1, 2013. In the Diversity of Higher Education February 6, 2013 article, "TRIO Support Advocates Seek Support in Congress", members of the Congressional TRIO Caucus are advocating for the support of this initiative, siting its history of creating pathways for college access and success and helping young people who may otherwise be crushed by an unjust system, have a fighting chance. See article here: TRIO Program Advocates Seek Support in Congress
In my professional role at The Pennsylvania State University, I have had the opportunity to work with Ronald E.McNair students. These are amazing students who conduct intensive research throughout the school year with world-renowned faculty in preparation for graduate school. In addition, the McNair program assists and develops students so they are prepared academically, socially, and mentally for the challenges of the post-baccalaureate degree. They are now in graduate school or graduates of the nations top institutions, such as Yale, University of Georgia, Johns Hopkins, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign . What happens to students, if Ronald E. McNair is cut or the number of slots greatly reduced? Will these same students still gain access to graduate education? Probably. Will they be as prepared and socialized for the graduate role as they are now when competing against applicants who have had research experience? Maybe,maybe not.
This is the story of so many young people in middle, high school, and college for whom access is afforded through the TRIO initiative. What happens when students are no longer provided an opportunity to develop and advance the skills needed to be admitted and graduate from college? As scholars, what can we do to advocate for dollars so that initiatives such as TRIO can move forward without the threat of financial seizure?
Is this a public good or a private matter?
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
like a heavy load.
-Langston Hughes
Randi, I had the pleasure to work with Student Support Services at FIU, the HSI I talked about the other day. It was a great experience to learn about that service. At FIU, that program stopped a while ago and I was disappointed when I heard that specially because many Hispanic students benefited from that. These programs should be getting more money and not getting cut.
ReplyDeleteI agree, in this weeks reading, Kezar argues that institutions of higher education should do more to support the transition, retention, and graduation of low income students. It is systematic barriers that place students at a disadvantage. Cutting support services at institutions such as FIU, reinforces her central thesis. Instead of allowing programs to fall by the wayside as a result of government action, Institutions should look for opportunities to sustain programs that address the needs of low income students without federal and state dollars. I guess that would be too much like right!
ReplyDeleteHi, Randi. I think any program or initiative that helps a population of marginalized people gain access to knowledge and skill is a public matter. However, these days the line between public and private is often blurred, in more ways than academically. As far as good ole great Mr. Langston Hughes...unfortunately, I think a dream deferred does turn into a raisin quicker than not in a capitalistic society.
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