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The discussion, at Pace Law School in White Plains, focused on President Barack Obama’s College Affordability Plan introduced in August as well as other areas of interest to higher education administrators such as Federal Financial Aid stability and The College Scorecard.
“I was so pleased to hear directly from experts in our region’s higher education community. Their feedback and perspective is invaluable,” said Lowey in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our higher education leaders to ensure that a quality, affordable college education remains in reach for Lower Hudson Valley families.”
Friedman thanked Lowey for taking a leadership role in what he called an important isue.
“More than 50 percent of our student body receives some form of federal financial aid and institutional aid remains one of our largest expenses, ”he said. “Making sure that college remains accessible and affordable for everyone is something of paramount importance to all of us in this room.”
Attendees at the round-table included financial aid and admissions administrators from Long Island University, Westchester Community College, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Manhattanville College, Rockland Community College, Nyack College, SUNY Purchase, Mercy College and Dominican College.
“The intentions behind the President’s proposal are good,” said Robina Schepp, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Pace University. “It is in the implementation and the execution that the challenges arise. One of the unintended consequences might be a loosening of the requirements for graduation. This is the opposite of what the President intends. The Score Card that was rushed out was incomplete. Better information exists. Placements and earnings power information on graduates still is not there.”
Lowey and Friedman plan to submit comments and concerns from the group at large to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at a meeting in Washington DC to be scheduled soon.
