The Real World Can Wait (11 Years In College, 28 Year Old Doesn't Want To Graduate)

Wisconsin State Journal ^ | April 7, 2005 | Doug Erickson

[MisterRepublican]

WHITEWATER - At the off-campus house Johnny Lechner shares with three other UW- Whitewater students, the stairway to his attic bedroom is lined with photos dating back to his freshman year.

Lechner has lost track of many of the buddies that posed with him at these long- ago fraternity parties and Homecoming parades. They have moved on to new lives - careers, wives, children, mortgages - and that's just not Lechner's scene.

"I could have - should have - graduated many years ago, but I keep passing on the real world's invitation," said Lechner, 28, who is in his 11th year as a student in the University of Wisconsin System, the last 10 at UW-Whitewater. He's taken a full course load every semester except the current one, in which he's taking seven credits.

Lechner has completed 234 college credits, about 100 more than needed to graduate and so many that he's now paying the so-called "slacker tax."

System students who exceed 165 total credit hours - or 30 more than their degree programs require, whichever is higher - pay double tuition. The Board of Regents instituted the surcharge this school year as a none-too-subtle hint that a state-subsidized education has its limits.

The slacker tax doubles full- time tuition at UW-Whitewater (12 to 18 credits) to $4,816 a semester. With the surcharge, Lechner is paying $2,810 per semester for his seven-credit load.

It is a measure of Lechner's campus notoriety that many classmates call the slacker tax "The Johnny Lechner Rule." While he doesn't mind being known as "that guy who has been in college forever," Lechner declines to take credit for the Regents' sweeping policy change.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

But didn't that just begin this year? Before this wasn't he living off the State?

[BikerNYC]

Who does he think he is, Aristotle (who spent twenty years of his life studying at Plato's Academy)?

[Quilla]

Much to my parents' dismay, I spent 8 years obtaining my undergraduate degree. Unlike you (and I applaud you), I was free of major responsibilities. I did, however, master the talent of drinking large quantities of beer in rapid succession. ;-)

[HardStarboard]

>>>...he isn't hurting anyone is he?<<<

He's taking class seats that could be given to deserving and motivated students that want to contribute to society rather than leach off it!

[UB355]

John Belushi went to School at UW Whitewater

[aQ_code_initiate]

If I'm not mistaken back in the late 90's Congress made it essentially impossible to default on federally subsidized student loans.

That is correct. There's only one way to default on a federally subsidized student loan, and that one loophole is the death of the debtor.

[Kenton]

I came across guys like that during college. They were there under the GI Bill. As long as they didn't accidentally graduate, they had a free dorm room, unlimited food during meal times and no bills to pay. One had been doing so for 7 years when I left.

Wow, when were they in the service? I was in from '66-'70, and we never got anything like that. The WW2 vets did, but we got a monthly stipend of about $300 a month for a full-time student. That was it.

[Quilla]

She's only been married the one time. I was quite young when she brought him home for the time - it was around midnight and our household was asleep. We all walk into the living room at see this hippie complete with long hair, tattered jean, and beads - and my former beauty queen of a sister looked just like him. That was the only time I ever heard my father utter a cuss word.

[Quilla]

Oops, make that at = and. My apologies.

[Junior]

No. The article says he's payed his own way and taken out loans since after the first two years of school (which were covered by his parents).

[conservativeharleyguy]

You are right, but there's a huge difference between settlement and payment.

It's pretty hard to collect on a judgment when the deadbeat has little or no income.

Who's going to hire some idiot who just spent the last 10-15 years in school, and only has a bachelor's degree to show for it.

If he is living a subsistence level life, even the govt. won't make him pay.

Then he'll just work under the table (or sell dope).

Hell, it works for illegal aliens.

The point was that he's a parasite, and ultimately the productive citizens will be indirectly forced to subsidize his slacker ass!!!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

What a shock to your family -

[Modernman]

These guys just milk the system as long as they can, then default on their loans.

Government-subsidized student loans can't be discharged in bankruptcy.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Sorry I read too quickly - saw the subsidized comment and thought it meant tuition was covered by state instead of just underwritten -

$30,000 in student loans isn't a great deal anymore - sure hope he pays them off someday - of course that might be part of the plan here - they aren't due until he graduates - he might never have to pay them off - lol

[Petronski]

Maybe UW should offer him a job...he obviously knows everything about student life.


And who knows, he might just take it.

[utahagen]

I agree. Hats off to the guy. He's happy and he's not shooting anybody, which are about all I demand of folks.

[Richard Kimball]

All you have to do is cut off student loans, grants and other perks after 160 hours, and (most important), have the state cut matching funds for courses after 160 hours.

Some people do take years to get their degrees, because they're part-time students. I don't want to penalize them, but there's no reason for the state to subsidize alleged academic endeavors after 160 hours.

If they want to pay the full cost of going to college after that, have at it. I know many universities have an up or out rule now, to prevent the constant major jumping.

[Lockbar]

Thats the exact same thing I was thinking about: "Seven years of college down the drain!!"

GO DELTA HOUSE!!!

[jude24]

I know a guy who has been through 12 majors in 8 years, no college degree to show for it. I don't know how he could do that. I'm in my fifth year at my university, and am working towards my doctorate.

[conservativeharleyguy]

Again, I know that.

Hell, I'll be paying on my college loan until I'm in my seventies (late-bloomer).

But there's a big difference between winning a judgement and getting paid for it.

Not even the govt. can take what isn't there.