NEW: Rep. Cimini Wants to Make College More Affordable
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Rep. Maria Cimini is urging local students and others who have an interest in the state's public higher education system to attend a public hearing at Rhode Island College on Tuesday about making public colleges more affordable and accessible.
The House Commission to Study Public Higher Education Affordability and Accessibility in Rhode Island will be visiting the state's public higher education campuses to offer students, faculty, administrators, alumni and other members of the community a chance to talk to the commission about making education more affordable.
"The affordability of public college is a huge issue that affects not only young people, but families, parents and anyone considering furthering their education later in life. I know, particularly in my district, there are a lot of people who will be interested in this opportunity to share their concerns about the rising costs of public tuitions and expenses," said Representative Cimini.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAnyone who wants to testify to share their ideas involving the affordability and accessibility of higher learning in Rhode Island is invited. Those who cannot attend the hearing at RIC are welcome to attend the hearings later at the state's other institutions of higher learning. The hearing at the University of Rhode Island will take place Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the lounge area of the Alumni Center on the Kingston Campus. The Community College of Rhode Island hearing will take place on the Newport Campus in Conference Room 200 on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The commission, led by Rep. Frank Ferri (D-Dist. 22, Warwick), is studying the administrative and academic decisions and practices that affect affordability and accessibility of public higher education in Rhode Island as well as other states efforts to improve affordability and accessibility. It will issue recommendations on actions that can be taken to make education more affordable and accessible.
In an initial report issued in May, the commission indicated that the state must find spending efficiencies at its public colleges and university and cut its reliance on ever-increasing tuitions to achieve its goal of a well-educated workforce that attracts employers and supports a robust economy. The commission has examined national trends in affordability and accessibility, governance issues, strategic planning activities at URI, RIC, and CCRI, the research university, graduation and retention, the high school experience and role of K-12 school districts, the role of after-school and summer programs in supporting middle and high school students and teacher preparation, certification and evaluation.
