St. Norbert College Hosts College Affordability Forum

Wisconsin's Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton and leaders from five colleges in the greater Green Bay area spoke at a college affordability forum hosted by St. Norbert College.The forum, entitled "Access and Affordability of Higher Education in a Down Economy," was held at the Fort Howard Theater on March 2.

In her address, "State Funding Commitment to Affordable Higher Education," Lawton stated the purpose of the forum: that it is important "to realize why we can't turn away from higher education and that it is more affordable than one might expect."

Many of the speakers referenced President Barack Obama's plan for higher education and economic stimulus plan, including St. Norbert College President Thomas Kunkel.

In his opening welcome remarks, Kunkel reminded the audience of Obama's goal for the United States to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by the year 2020.

Kunkel also reiterated that three-fourths of the fastest growing occupations require more than a high school diploma, and yet only one-half of adults in the United States have a post-secondary degree.

Lawton, who spoke first at the forum, also mentioned the social importance of post-secondary education on the national and state level, stating that post-secondary degrees are "an entry ticket into our 21st century global economy."

Nationwide, the quality of education is declining, not just in comparison to other nations but also in absolute terms.

Wisconsin has a particularly interesting economic and educational situation that would be remedied by an increase in residents who hold post-secondary degrees, as Lawton explained in her speech.

The state has an above average proportion of "baby boomers" that will soon be retiring, coupled with a small population of young adults and a declining birth rate, which Lawton described as "a tremendous economic challenge."

"Children of this generation must be determined to drive the future," said Lawton.

The state currently has one of the lowest education attainment rates nationwide, as well as being ranked in the bottom third of all states in terms of income and worker productivity.

However, Wisconsin provides numerous opportunities for state financial aid, particularly need-based aid.

In 2008, 13.5% of all need-based aid for college students in Wisconsin came from the state government itself.

This state aid is on top of federal aid, which comprised 74% of all need-based aid for Wisconsin's college students in 2008.

Federal aid programs will be increasing under the United States Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, known in common parlance as the economic stimulus bill, which will increase tax credits for education, simplify the federal aid application process, and increase the money given for federal grants and loans.

To conclude her speech, Lawton again stressed the importance of a post-secondary education, stating that a college education should be "the norm."

She added, "I hope that those who are here share this story with their friends and colleagues in the area--college can be affordable for everyone. We can't leave anybody in the margins, we need everyone in order to move forward."

After Lawton's speech, time was allotted for a brief question-and-answer session, but only one question was asked in reference to the income level marks for need-based grants.

After Lawton left the forum, a panel discussion entitled "Commitment to Accessibility" was hosted by the leaders of five area post-secondary institutions: President Kunkel; Jane Muhl, President of Bellin College of Nursing; Verna Fowler, President of the College of the Menominee Nation; H. Jeffrey Rafn, President of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College; and David Ward, Interim Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay.

Each explained their institution's means of providing an affordable college education through lowering costs and financial aid, both need- and merit-based, as well as economically sound career opportunities that a degree from their institution can provide.

Muhl, of the Bellin College of Nursing, announced that the college is expanding its program offerings to include a four-year program in radiography.

"We are expanding to become Bellin College, not just Bellin College of Nursing," said Muhl, reiterating that nursing and radiography jobs, as well as other careers in the health sciences, are "recession-proof."

Fowler, of the College of the Menominee Nation, explained that the tribal college is based on the community college model and that enrollment is not limited to tribe members.

"The college was founded for the same reason you are here," Fowler stated, emphasizing the college's commitment to providing an affordable education.

Rafn, of NWTC, described transfer opportunities the college provides as well as measures they have taken to minimize additional costs, such as textbooks and transportation charges by providing e-Books and online courses.

The school has also increased its financial aid offerings.

As Rafn said, "We continue to seek ways to reduce the cost of education."

Ward, who plans on returning to his work as a consulting economist when his interim chancellorship at UWGB ends, emphasized the university's "broad definition of access."

Over 50 percent of UWGB graduates did not begin their college education at UWGB, and the school provides many opportunities for adults who have credits toward a degree and the desire to complete it.

The forum ended with President Kunkel explaining the many financial aid opportunities that make a St. Norbert College education more affordable, testing the assumption "that private college is out of reach."

After the forum, parents were provided with an opportunity to meet with financial aid representatives from each of the five institutions part of the panel.