Let’s hope the University of Michigan is taking notes on this. If Michigan voters eliminate legally-sanctioned discrimination next month the U of M will almost certainly have to move in this direction.

About Time, at 8:10 am EDT on October 13, 2006

An investment in the future

Kevin, You and I as taxpayers have the opportunity to ensure that the promise of the nation—democracy, equality, freedom from want, etc—is available to all through higher education. Take this opportunity to pay forward your good fortune of not being poor in this country. Do it for the good of the nation, do it for the good of your own children’s futures.

Agnes, at 1:35 pm EDT on October 13, 2006

Agnes — “Good fortune” has nothing to do with my, or anyone’s, success in life. Instead, good fortune in in direct correlation to determination, sacrifice, and personal choice and responsibility.

Prior to college, the highest annual salary I had received was $12,000 — in the United States Air Force. To help with tuition, my wife cleaned homes and worked other odd jobs and I worked throughout my undergraduate college experience. I gratefully accepted two scholarships (totaling $2000) from the American Veterans Association and I’ve since “paid forward” to that, and other, fine organizations. I took out student loans and paid them back.

My first job, after undergraduate school, provided a salary of $18,100. In the 20 years since, again through hard work, sacrifice, and determination, things have gotten better.

In our early years of marriage, my wife and I CHOSE not to have children because we couldn’t afford them. We CHOSE not to drive expensive vehicles, live in expensive homes, or take luxury vacations. We CHOSE to make financial decisions that would afford us the opportunity to do good for “our OWN children’s future.”

Convince me that other parents — especially those making $46,500 — have sacrificed in the same way. Convince me that parents are having just the number of kids that they can afford to properly raise and send to college and that, through no fault of their own, something bad happened along the way. Convince me that “democracy, equality, and freedom from want will be delivered through higher education.”

Kevin, at 4:30 pm EDT on October 13, 2006

To Kevin.

It sounds to me like you’re saying that poor children should pay for their parents poor choices.

Jenny, at 6:15 am EDT on October 14, 2006

To err is human, to forgive is divine

Kevin,I understand your frustration. But, as Jenny put it, poor kids do not have to pay for the poor parents’ bad choices. Otherwise, the cycle will never end. I know you work and plan hard and this approach may seem unfair to you. But, life is full of surprise, your reward may come through other means in another avenue that your current income may not be able to afford.

I can speak for the poor kids because I was one of them. Neither of my parents finished high school. Let’s just say that my chance to be successful in this world is extremely slim.

However, through various scholarships, I have managed to move up in life. I have had a Bachelor and various Masters from some of the most reputable universities in this planet, and I mean some of the most reputable. I have worked in various places in the world and have a very good shot to make it up there.

However, after thinking of all the kindness I have received, I decided that I want to give back to the community. So, I am going back to school and getting my PhD to be an academic. I decided I want to help those poor kids, or otherwise, to have a better life. I do not care about the money or the prestige. I just want to pay it forward.

So, while it is true that a scholarship may seem unfair to many, I strongly believe that in the long run it will benefit the society. I still have faith in people and everyday I try to reaffirm that to others through my actions. To whom much is given, much is expected. There is still something great about human conscience.

Thank you very much.

TG, at 12:35 pm EDT on October 14, 2006

Finally

I am just glad that Washington is catching up to California. I was born and raised in California and because of there State University System. Any citizen with a drive to want to succeed can go to college. California has a great grant program and combine that with federal and school is paid for. Out here it is a sad and different story. I was discussing going to University of Washington and I was told good luck sarcastically. I work for the U and was still told be fellow Washington citizens it is almost impossible to get in. Then if by the chance you are accepted how on earth will you pay for it.

Makes me nervous, but I am going to apply anyway and see what happens. This article does give me a small ray of hope though.

Denisha, at 3:20 pm EDT on October 15, 2006

I am thankful for the comments posted here. I grew up in an impoverished, unhealthy household which managed to run through 1 father and 2 stepfathers (fortunately I had my sisters). Not to make excuses, but I spent a lot of time away from home because of the circumstances in my home. I became pregnant at 14 years old and now, at 27, have a well-adjusted and happy 12 year old son. I had to wait and work very hard to go back to school. Even finishing high school was a challenge. I managed to cut back working enough to enroll in community college when I was 23 and transferred to the UW last fall. When I started back to school, going to the UW didn’t even seem like an option to me; I didn’t feel that a reputable college would want someone like me, from my background, attending. I actually cried when I got my letter of acceptance. It is still a constant struggle to make ends meet and I know that without the financial assistance and my subsidized apartment I would not be able to attend college. I am fortunate in that my son is no longer at an age where he requires childcare but I know a lot of other parents who don’t have the option of going to school and making a better life for their children because the costs would be too great. I think the additional assistance is definitely beyond what is expected and those receiving it I’m sure realize this and are grateful. I would just like to say thank you for helping low-income, underserved, etc students to feel welcome. I know that I am going to spend the rest of my life giving back and that I will teach my son to as well.

April, UW, at 11:05 pm EDT on October 16, 2006

I was one of the early respondents. At the time, I was angry and sadden by the assumptions some writers made about poor folk. One, I am poor and take great pride in working hard, like most of my friends, neighbors, and work associates. In fact, some of the most difficult and backbreaking jobs I have had have paid the least. Two, I have made many mistakes in my life; nevertheless, I did not choose to be poor. Moreover, I had savings, two jobs and health insurance, passed my master’s orals with honors, and was preparing for my doctoral exams, when my daughter was born in 1988. Unfortunately, my daughter was born 12 weeks premature on the first day of the fall semester. Within hours of her birth, my savings were gone. One health insurer dropped our small company and the second company wrote that they would review and consider my daughter’s application in 12 years! After a three-month hospitalization, she came home on an apnea monitor. She had to be within 10 seconds of someone trained to revive her, when she stopped breathing/her heart stopped. Once her immune system could tolerate a small daycare, I had to find jobs, which were flexible, because my daughter had many short-term illnesses and many doctor’s appointments. Fast forward almost two decades of chronic health problems and you will see how it is possible to work hard, plan, make what you thought were solid choices, live frugally, and end up poor. We can all work toward a better future with universal health coverage and a free and public education, which will benefit all of us. Helen, Clerk

Helen Lara-Cea, at 6:20 pm EDT on October 26, 2006