Obama’s free college proposal could have consequences

President Barack Obama’s proposal to make two years of community college free could change the education possibilities of thousands of Americans, but not without consequences.

At a nation-wide level the program could be attainable, however, there are many complications for state level admission under the proposed free education system.

Amy McCracken, associate director of Financial Services at Oklahoma Christian University, said the proposal could have interesting consequences.

“Normal four-year institutions, private or public, will have to begin to think outside the box when it comes to new programs and different ways of thinking, so they can compete and get students to attend their college without enrollment numbers going down,” McCracken said.

Under Obama’s proposal for free community college, the federal government will provide over half of the cost of free tuition and expect the respective states to pay the rest.

“Colleges are already beginning to think outside the box and are providing more online and self-pace learning programs,” McCracken said. “I do not know if those options will translate into free or reduced tuition at most four-year schools, but it is causing everyone to think differently in terms of standard in classroom teaching.”

If Obama’s idea is implemented within the next five years, colleges and universities might have to raise the price of current tuition to compete, raising current tuition costs for traditional students.

“There is always a limited amount of financial aid,” McCracken said. “If tuition costs go up and financial aid is still limited, the gap between the two is going to get even bigger.”

Senior Afton Paris, a political science major, said she is under the impression that Obama’s plea for free community college education is merely a campaign ploy.

“Personally, I do not think this is a well-thought out idea from the government,” Paris said. “We are coming up on election year and it is on peoples’ minds I’m sure. With the recent message that the American people have sent to the Democratic and Republican parties there is something going and both parties want to pull people back in.”

Paris said there are better alternatives to improve the education system than opening the floodgates to all citizens.

“There are far better ways to reform education and to improve the education system,” Paris said. “You have to reevaluate American education and ensure that all students are receiving the education they should have.”

Students that transfer from community college to a four-year program also would have to see the effects of this financial situation alter.

“If my tuition were to go up due to free community college, I would have to attend a public university, too, because of financial reasons,” sophomore Tyler Odom said.

Whether private or public, however, Odom said all education is fundamentally the same.

“A college is a college, a teacher is a teacher is a teacher,” Odom said. “As long as I am getting an education then that is all that matters.”

Paris said free community college could have significant long-term effects on American culture.

“Part of the education is paying for the education,” Paris said. “If you don’t have that experience then it means less to you.”

The full requirements and qualifications for applicants under this new proposed education system have not been announced yet.

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