College of the Canyons Chancellor Dianne Van Hook released a statement Friday in support of President Barack Obama’s recent proposal that the first two years of community college be tuition-free for American students, college officials said.
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The $60 billion proposal, named “America’s College Promise,” would mean three-quarters of the cost of waiving the first two years of tuition would be covered by the federal government and states would be left to fund the rest, according to CNN.
“What an amazing opportunity this would be for a generation of students who likely thought college was out of reach,” Van Hook said. “It creates a clear pathway to a degree or career, and delivers on the promise of the American dream. Eliminating the barrier of tuition will open the doors to a lifetime of opportunities that would never have been possible without a college education.”
Van Hook went on to refer to the proposal as “common sense” and “cost effective” from a policy perspective, and cited studies on the effectiveness of community colleges.
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“Research clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of community colleges in helping students to succeed academically and be better positioned to earn bachelor’s degrees,” she said. “We serve far more students, at a far lower cost, than other systems of higher education.”
The proposal would also serve as a “tremendous boon to the economy,” according to Van Hook, enabling students to enter the workforce equipped with the technical skills and training required in emerging fields.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.“Recent estimates show California alone may face a shortage of 1.5 million qualified workers within 10 years,” Van Hook added. “If enacted, the president’s plan would go a long way toward closing that gap.”
While CNN reports the controversial proposal is “unlikely to become law anytime soon,” its “presidential push” has the potential to lead to similar state and local initiatives.