Stipends are CSU’s escape plan

By:

Colleen Buhrer

Willow Welter

Christopher J. Ortiz

CSU might have found an escape route out of TABOR’s (Taxpayer’s

Bill of Rights) fire. The state House Educational Committee

approved a bill that would completely change the way higher

education is funded in this state.

College-bound students would receive a stipend, also known as

vouchers, to attend any higher-education institution in the state,

instead of schools receiving a flat amount from the state – as they

do now.

This idea was flirted with last year, but the state

legislature’s session ended before the bill could be moved out of

committee.

Former CSU President Albert Yates supported vouchers because he

felt they served as a vehicle to remove CSU and other institutions

from TABOR’s restrictions and make them state enterprises.

We support vouchers for the same reason.

It should be made clear that vouchers will not make college free

for recipients. They will still have to pay the difference between

the amount of tuition and the amount the state provides – as

students now do. It is even likely the vouchers amount might be

less that the amount from the state – making the out-of-pocket

price of college even greater.

But, by giving the money to the students, it may make them more

aware of what it costs to go to college and how much money is out

there. Stipends create a situation in which students are more

likely to pay attention to the costs and funding of their college

education.

But with any newly introduced plan, the devil is in the details.

We hope with working with the Colorado Commission on Higher

Education and with college representatives, the legislature can

come up with a final plan that will better serve the state and

students.

CSU has long needed an escape from TABOR and we hope this is

it.