Today's Letters: In universities, we get what we pay for

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published July 18, 2007

Florida is a case study of the tragic result of dodging the issue of the price/cost differential in public higher education. The low artificial price of tuition (only about $2,200 in Florida, about a quarter of the national average) shields us all from the real cost of public higher education, per student. I doubt if any of our legislators in Florida, including the governor, know the actual cost. Certainly the students and their families do not realize they are receiving an annual gift of more than $30,000 per year. It is the biggest "entitlement" in Florida, and the recipients are not grateful because they have never been told the real cost per year of the excellent education they are receiving.

An analysis of the data will show that a large percentage of Florida's students come from families with incomes well above the Florida average. The fact is, most of the families of Florida's students can afford to pay and should pay a larger percentage of the actual cost of their education. In higher education, we get what we pay for.

Finally, the data show that low- tuition institutions have less money to allocate to scholarships and financial aid to students with documented need. So we have also only served to continue the myth that raising the price of tuition would hurt needy students. The fact is, it would probably help them.

If we raised the price of tuition to about $8,000 a year, that would only be about a third of the actual cost of education per year, per student. It would still be a gift for every Florida student and family enrolled in public institutions.

Merle F. Allshouse, St. Petersburg

Universities fight to survive July 15

Affordability first

After reading the pros and cons espoused by all those factions mentioned in this editorial, together with profuse other Times editorials on the financial quagmire of Florida's state universities, I believe it is time that the opposing factions unite in achieving what one has to believe each wants: a viable and productive higher education for the citizens of Florida!

Giving due deference to Senate President Ken Pruitt, one may believe the Board of Governors' suit could result in "unbridled tuition increases." One also has to believe Gov. Charlie Crist is dedicated to maintaining affordable higher education for Florida's families and students. What the people of Florida have to understand is which faction holds the purse strings! It may be that the Board of Governors, with constitutional authority can, and most likely will, increase tuitions. However, in doing so it may just price too many Florida families and students out of their only hope for a higher education.

The people of Florida most interested in affordable higher education in their publicly financed universities must insist their elected representatives in Tallahassee structure this state's taxes to benefit them more than the special interests of the few who may well care less about affordable higher education in the state of Florida.

Russell Lee Johnson, St. Petersburg

FAMU instructor sails smoothly in hot water July 11, story

Flawed, but still serving others

The St. Petersburg Times quoted me accurately in the story highlighting blasts from my past. This front-page story informs the public of this newspaper's perception of my significance and possible influence.

Unfortunately, there is a complete blackout of my accomplishments in serving Leon County citizens or my contributions to the lives of students in general. My love for and commitment to FAMU is actualized by the 12 years I attended its lab school and the more than 20 years I have maintained ties as an instructor and supporter. The members of the community I serve in Leon County have repeatedly entrusted their faith in my competencies as evidenced by the four times they elected me.

I have never pretended to be Snow White, and I know of no one who perceives me as a dwarf. My life has pimples, bruises, lows, mistakes and plenty of challenges in different arenas. Through the multiple mistakes and falls I have experienced, my record shows that God has always lifted me up, given me sustaining resolve to overcome adversity and has dared to use me again and again in unique capacities. Sailing through hot water, entering into lion dens or coming through fiery furnaces, are matters of faith in God and favor from God.

I am not ashamed of my past. I enjoy my present. I look forward to my future.

Bill Proctor, Leon County Commissioner, Tallahassee

FAMU instructor sails smoothly in hot water July 11, story

Keeping us informed

Thank you for the piece exposing Tallahassee County Commissioner Bill Proctor. We did not get that in the Tallahassee Democrat. At least one newspaper actually covers the news with true investigative reporting. My thanks.

Ann Bidlingmaier, Tallahassee

Old Iraq strategy getting a new look July 15, story

Missing element

It is reported that Congress is showing renewed interest in implementing recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, which was headed by former Secretary of State James Baker III, a Republican, and Rep. Lee Hamilton, a Democrat.

The group recommends that the mission of the U.S. military in Iraq should be shifted from combat to training and support for Iraqi forces. This is the easy part of the study group's recommendations.

The group went on to say: "The United States will not be able to achieve its goals in the Middle East unless the United States deals directly with the Arab-Israeli conflict." It recommends a renewed and sustained commitment by the United States to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts and the unconditional calling and holding of meetings with Israel, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinians to accomplish this peace objective. This is the hard part of the study group's recommendations.

The second recommendation will surely be opposed by the Israeli lobbying organization, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and its evangelical Christian supporters. Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman would prefer that we bomb Iran instead. Congress, deeply committed to the interests of Israel, will not act.

So we may get a shift of emphasis on our military mission in Iraq, but we are not likely to get any action on the Arab-Israeli conflict that the study group says we must accomplish "to achieve our goals in the Middle East."

Joseph A. Mahon, St. Petersburg

On Iraq, stay or go - nothing in between July 12, commentary

Best to withdraw

Stephen Biddle surely hits the nail directly on the head when he says that if the surge is unacceptable, the better option is to cut our losses and withdraw completely. After listening to the president recently, I am more than convinced that this is the intelligent thing to do. President Bush was in his complete denial stage, ignoring facts about the war as told on national television by his own party's Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. The so-called surge is a total failure, as predicted by a number of former generals and some of his own people.

Having had some 325,000 Iraqi soldiers already trained by our military, I see no reason why the Iraqi army can't fight its own war. Regardless of what the politicians call it, it's still a civil war and I say, let them do their own fighting and dying. We have done enough!

John J. Hayes, Hudson

Planned Pakistan aid has doubters July 16, story

Deadly giveaway

This $750-million giveaway is typical of our government expending our hard- earned tax dollars with no accountability. This giveaway is especially egregious since it gives financial aid to our avowed enemies. The article goes on to say that "ensuring efficacy of aid to the region would be difficult."

Not really. That $750-million will buy many IEDs, AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons that will be used against our troops. Just write the check: "Pay to the order of Osama bin Laden." What an asinine plan. No wonder we are losing the war.

Joseph A. Schlosser, Weeki Wachee

Kids don't rate

Tell me it ain't true: We're giving $750-million to Pakistan while President Bush is expected to veto a boost in health insurance for 7.4-million American children.

Please, tell me it ain't true.

Edward J. McDougall, Brooksville

[Last modified July 17, 2007, 22:16:42]