Tuition waver for students over 60 critical to improving state literacy rates
Like it is
Cody Kees
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Opinion
Previously, I wrote about the need for UA officials to continue to strengthen current efforts in raising Arkansas literacy rates while better engaging all students in the process.
Understanding that literacy in Arkansas is a win-win situation for all is a compelling argument, whether the incentive is to give citizens the better life that education inevitably brings or equipping the Arkansas workforce for growing technological jobs.
Since that article I have found a program that is targeted toward the education of our citizens in unconventional ways.
On the second floor of Silas Hunt Hall, tucked away in a busy office full of admissions recruiters, you will find a nice, little lady who is dedicated to making sure the university is applying Act 678 of 1975 to the UA admissions process.
Julie Crawford is the Admissions Office administrator of Act 678, which says that all state-supported institutions of higher education will waive all tuition fees for any student over the age of 60.
At first, I was a bit concerned that the UA was allowing seniors to gain free admission to the UA, while I, as most other students, have to pay.
But I learned the program was a state law and that there are restrictions within the law that I think make it fairer for other students.
Seniors taking advantage of the tuition waiver do not have priority registration. They register last and on a space-available basis. This means they are not taking spaces from paying students who are degree-seeking. In most cases, these seniors are taking a small course load in classes that did not meet capacity.
I understand giving seniors free admission - after all, they have been paying taxes all their life to fund public education. Additionally, they bring a new perspective to the classroom and increase the diversity that our university cannot seem to get enough of.
Qualifying seniors must have a high-school degree or a GED equivalent, and they first must be admitted to the university.
My most favorable support for the senior-citizen waiver is the positive effect they will have on increasing Arkansas literacy.
While most already will be performing at high literacy standards, these seniors will, in a small way, become advocates for higher education. They will be passing on their experiences and enthusiasm for learning to their children and grandchildren and urging those with whom they're in contact to receive the gift of knowledge and help Arkansas citizens block the awful plague of extremely low literacy rates in an ever-increasing global market.
So the next time you become flustered in class because the elderly gentleman next to you smells of moth balls and asks unlimited questions, be kind to him and know he helped fund your education all of his life and now is helping to make your university truly become nationally competitive.
Cody Kees is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every other Wednesday.
Understanding that literacy in Arkansas is a win-win situation for all is a compelling argument, whether the incentive is to give citizens the better life that education inevitably brings or equipping the Arkansas workforce for growing technological jobs.
Since that article I have found a program that is targeted toward the education of our citizens in unconventional ways.
On the second floor of Silas Hunt Hall, tucked away in a busy office full of admissions recruiters, you will find a nice, little lady who is dedicated to making sure the university is applying Act 678 of 1975 to the UA admissions process.
Julie Crawford is the Admissions Office administrator of Act 678, which says that all state-supported institutions of higher education will waive all tuition fees for any student over the age of 60.
At first, I was a bit concerned that the UA was allowing seniors to gain free admission to the UA, while I, as most other students, have to pay.
But I learned the program was a state law and that there are restrictions within the law that I think make it fairer for other students.
Seniors taking advantage of the tuition waiver do not have priority registration. They register last and on a space-available basis. This means they are not taking spaces from paying students who are degree-seeking. In most cases, these seniors are taking a small course load in classes that did not meet capacity.
I understand giving seniors free admission - after all, they have been paying taxes all their life to fund public education. Additionally, they bring a new perspective to the classroom and increase the diversity that our university cannot seem to get enough of.
Qualifying seniors must have a high-school degree or a GED equivalent, and they first must be admitted to the university.
My most favorable support for the senior-citizen waiver is the positive effect they will have on increasing Arkansas literacy.
While most already will be performing at high literacy standards, these seniors will, in a small way, become advocates for higher education. They will be passing on their experiences and enthusiasm for learning to their children and grandchildren and urging those with whom they're in contact to receive the gift of knowledge and help Arkansas citizens block the awful plague of extremely low literacy rates in an ever-increasing global market.
So the next time you become flustered in class because the elderly gentleman next to you smells of moth balls and asks unlimited questions, be kind to him and know he helped fund your education all of his life and now is helping to make your university truly become nationally competitive.
Cody Kees is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every other Wednesday.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
USELESS TOP TEN
posted 10/08/08 @ 2:45 AM CST
Seriously, it's not that critical. It's not like 60+ seniors are critical for Arkansas's future. They'll be dead in 10 years anyways, that will take care of your literacy rate statistic. (Continued…)
Allison
posted 10/10/08 @ 8:26 AM CST
Senior citizens do not smell like mothballs. Why so tasteless, Cody Kees?
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