Senate approves more money for higher ed.

By Valerie Westen
The Collegian

The Senate recently approved an amendment to the 2007 congressional budget to restore $7 billion in funding to education and health programs.
The amendment, proposed by Senators Arlen Specter, (R- Penn.) and Tom Harkin (D- Iowa), passed by a vote of 73-27.

Political Science Professor Thomas Holyoke said the US has always been a leader when it comes to education, but needs a higher investment to produce more students in technology development.

The amendment, which was co-sponsored by 27 additional senators, restores $7 billion that could be used to reverse cuts and increase funding for education programs such as the Perkin Loan Program, Upward Bound, Talent Search and other key student aid programs used at Fresno State. The budget leaves the maximum Pell Grant blocked at $4,050.

According to the American Council on Education, letters from the Student Aid Alliance urged the Senate to adopt the amendment in order to remain “competitive with China, India, South Korea and other countries that are raising the bar for higher education.”

The SAA also stated the planned cuts would “place at risk the dreams of millions of American students who hope to pursue a college education.”

The amendment may be closer to passing than other recent bill proposals. One offered by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, recently failed.

The Kennedy amendment failed by a vote of 50-50. It proposed to boost student aid funding by $6.3 billion and sought to raise the maximum Pell Grant award to $4,500 and restore cuts to other student aid programs.

Holyoke said the reason Kennedy’s bill did not pass is not because of its content.

“Senator Specter is Republican, is a member of the majority party and had a better chance to see his amendment pass. Senator Kennedy, who is a Democrat, knew his would not be accepted. It was a political stunt to highlight an alternative,” Holyoke said.

Some Fresno State students said this amendment is great news. Felicia Macias, a junior in nursing, said she depends on grants for school.

“If it was not for grants, there is no way I could be in school right now,” she said, “this amendment is a great idea because it will help students pay for school. Now we need to make sure that students are aware of what is available to them.” Macias said.

Business junior, Tina Borrelli, does not qualify for government money.

“This amendment is great for students that do qualify. In my case, I will still be paying the same for tuitions and books, and I wish something could be done for us too. Maybe if the tuitions were not so high, students would not need so many grants and financial aid,” Borrelli said.

Professor Holyoke said he is still skeptical about the amendment, and does not want students and education programs to get their hope up too much.

“Unfortunately, Congress will be under pressure to cut the budget and spend less than what they announced. I would be amazed if that $7 billion cut occurred because they are not committed to following the plan,” Holyoke said.

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