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New Mexico Announces Plan for Free College for State Residents
New York Times ^ | Septemberr 18, 2019 | Simon Romero and Dana Goldstein

Posted on 09/18/2019 7:53:39 AM PDT by karpov

ALBUQUERQUE — In one of the boldest state-led efforts to expand access to higher education, New Mexico is unveiling a plan on Wednesday to make tuition at its public colleges and universities free for all state residents, regardless of family income.

The move comes as many American families grapple with the rising cost of higher education and as discussions about free public college gain momentum in state legislatures and on the presidential debate stage. Nearly half of the states, including New York, Oregon and Tennessee, have guaranteed free two- or four-year public college to some students. But the New Mexico proposal goes further, promising four years of tuition even to students whose families can afford to pay the sticker price.

The program, which is expected to be formally announced by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday and still requires legislative approval, would apply to all 29 of the state’s two- and four-year public institutions. Long one of the poorest states in the country, New Mexico plans to use climbing revenues from oil production to pay for much of the costs.

Some education experts, presidential candidates and policymakers consider universal free college to be a squandering of scarce public dollars, which might be better spent offering more support to the neediest students.

But others say college costs have become too overwhelming and hail the many drives toward free tuition.

“I think we’re at a watershed moment,” said Caitlin Zaloom, a cultural anthropologist at New York University who has researched the impact of college costs on families. “It used to be that a high school degree could allow a young adult to enter into the middle class. We are no longer in that situation. We don’t ask people to pay for fifth grade ...”

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: New Mexico
KEYWORDS: college; educationfunding; freecollege
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Not everyone has the IQ and motivation to get a college education. Young people are more likely to study hard at college when they and their family are paying for it.
1 posted on 09/18/2019 7:53:39 AM PDT by karpov
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To: karpov

Turning America socialist...one state at a time.


2 posted on 09/18/2019 7:57:11 AM PDT by Russ (I)
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To: karpov

Free, and worth every penny.


3 posted on 09/18/2019 7:57:34 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: dfwgator

“free”...

And some of the people will be fooled all the time.


4 posted on 09/18/2019 7:58:55 AM PDT by Professional
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To: karpov

When the “family pays”? Hardly, the only time a person really studies their butt off, is when THEY are paying for it, and not with Gubmint debt either.

Higher education today is for one, totally worthless and grossly overpriced, but secondly it’s bankrupting people for their eternity through the accumulation of easy to get, hard to get rid of student loans.

My 21 yr old has been bombarded by credit card offers and such ever since she turned 18. I assume they figure I’ll pick up the tab, or Grandma will when said teen gets into too much debt. Not on my watch...


5 posted on 09/18/2019 8:01:12 AM PDT by Professional
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To: karpov

Not paying for it will free them from those pressures. Studying, learning...that’s s lot to deal with.
A friend’s brother went to NMSU. Enena Zoo was what he called it. I’m sure that having students of diverse economic backgrounds will enhance the learning experience of all.


6 posted on 09/18/2019 8:03:13 AM PDT by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
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To: karpov

They pay for it when/if they get a Real Job


7 posted on 09/18/2019 8:05:40 AM PDT by butlerweave
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To: karpov

Since it will be free, it will be over-subscribed.

I wonder what the political requirements for admission will be.


8 posted on 09/18/2019 8:09:12 AM PDT by VanShuyten ("...that all the donkeys were dead. I know nothing as to the fate of the less valuable animals.")
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To: karpov

Texas is working toward free tuition as well.

When will I be receiving a refund for paying for my and our children’s college expenses? I still haven’t received that phone obamy promised or free housing or free health care.


9 posted on 09/18/2019 8:09:19 AM PDT by bgill
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To: karpov

If the Democrats win in 2020, all of that oil revenue will be shut down.


10 posted on 09/18/2019 8:10:08 AM PDT by Wilhelm Tell (True or False? This is not a tag line.)
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To: karpov

Free. College personnel work as volunteers.


11 posted on 09/18/2019 8:11:37 AM PDT by windsorknot
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To: karpov

Who pays to expand the infrastructure and footprints of the higher learning institutions once an influx of potential new students apply for free admission ? It is just common sense that thousands of additional applicants will want seats in the now “no cost” classrooms and there is not room for all of them right now. Besides classes what about expanded library, lab, dining and residential facilities ?


12 posted on 09/18/2019 8:14:28 AM PDT by XRdsRev (You can't spell HILLARY without the letters LIAR.)
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To: karpov
New Mexico plans to use climbing revenues from oil production to pay for much of the costs.

Well that will certainly have Millenials with one foot in the boat and the other on the dock on the whole carbon footprint thingy.


13 posted on 09/18/2019 8:16:05 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog (Patrick Henry would have been an anti-vaxxer.)
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To: bgill
Texas is working toward free tuition as well.

If it can happen in Texas it will be everywhere within a short period of time. Some bad ideas are unstoppable.


14 posted on 09/18/2019 8:17:10 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog (Patrick Henry would have been an anti-vaxxer.)
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To: karpov

Free college would become a baby sitting club of fools. New Mexico will go broke as they are damn well now.


15 posted on 09/18/2019 8:17:25 AM PDT by Logical me
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To: Logical me

Who wants to work in New Mexico. so what good is it when the graduates leave the State, and other States reap the benefit?


16 posted on 09/18/2019 8:18:21 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: karpov
"regard of family income"

Another transfer of wealth to the wealthy.
17 posted on 09/18/2019 8:18:50 AM PDT by Steve_Seattle
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To: karpov

Expect an explosion of near worthless liberal arts BAs looking for bartending jobs.


18 posted on 09/18/2019 8:24:14 AM PDT by BBQToadRibs
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To: Buckeye McFrog

When I was at UNT (Denton Texas) in the 1980’s state tuition was $4.00 per hour and with student fees, the total tuition for an “In State” student was about $500 to $700 per semester depending upon laps and other student use fees.

At the time Texas out-of-state tuition was cheaper than many in-state tuition costs for small upper midwest places. So there were a fair number of students in Denton from Wyoming, North and South Dakota and Nebraska.

THe issue is to control the cost and maintain standards.


19 posted on 09/18/2019 8:32:48 AM PDT by Fai Mao (There is no rule of law in the US until The PIAPS is executed.)
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To: Fai Mao

That’s where my son is going to school.


20 posted on 09/18/2019 8:34:04 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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