Republicans at the state and national level seem bent on destroying higher education as we know it.

Nationally

• Interest rates on new subsidized loans are scheduled to double on July 1 and more than 7 million students around the country will rack up an average of $1,000 of extra debt each. Congress has the power to stop that from happening. Unfortunately, so far, Republicans in Congress have voted to let those rates go ahead and double in order to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.
• The budget plan proposed by Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, would cut Pell Grants by $170 million, double interest rates on Stafford Loans, allow the college tax credit to expire, and would make part-time students ineligible to receive Pell Grants.    For low-income students who have to work to support themselves and pay their own way through college, not being able to attend school part-time would be a huge blow to their chances of completing college.  Mitt Romney called this budget plan “marvelous.”

Here’s what college students in North Carolina have to say about Republican education policy at the state and federal level:

Asgod Barrantes, UNC-Charlotte: “I’m a first generation college student financially supported by a single, hardworking mother of two. I cannot imagine where I would be in life without the help of Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. Having thefinancial backing from these federal programs have allowed me to try to pursue my goals in life.

I know that with Pell Grants and Stafford Loans, I can secure my financial needs to pay for my college costs, however, legislators in Washington D.C. have to take meaningful steps to keep interest rates on federal student loans at the current 3.4%. If legislators in DC cannot meet the July 1st deadline, interest rates on federal student loans will rise to 6.8%–the average debt burden will increase by $1,000 per student per year.  These financial programs are a necessity to low- and middle-income students.  I will be affected by the potential interest rate increase, along with 7.4 million other undergraduate students. Obama has made his support to pass legislation keeping the current interest rates as they stand, furthering his support for college students like me. He cares about the youth of America and gives me another reason to support him.”

Johnny McElhany, Appalachian State: “The most noticeable effect of the budget cuts at Appalachian State has been our loss of library hours – we used to have a 24/7 library but we’ve lost about 60 hours a week.”  Appalachian State have also students have faced higher tuition and larger class sizes.

Elena Botella, Duke University:  “Federal taxes are already at a forty-year low.  The Paul Ryan budget, which has been celebrated by Mitt Romney, suggests that we should keep cutting taxes and forgo our commitment to education.  This  proposition is not only only unwise, but immoral.  Our nation is throwing its future away.”

Burton Peebles, UNC-Chapel Hill: “I think it is widely accepted that the contributions of the State of North Carolina to our university system are priceless. But, with shrinking funds for universities and K-12 education, not only is the chance to attend college being threatened, but the quality of the education once a student arrives is put in jeopardy. Education
was, and has always been, my out–my escape from looming poverty. But, many in my hometown are being trapped in a perpetual state of disempowerment because of an absent educational foundation and Republican legislators who overlook their human potential. Until Republicans realize the source of job growth is not just a tax cut, but an earnest investment in training and education, we’re going to continue to see slowed growth and generations of North Carolinaians left without meaningful social mobility.”

We will not continue to be a prosperous country or a prosperous state if we give up on the idea that the hardworking children of poor and middle class families should be able to attend college.  In the words of Barack Obama, higher education should not be a “luxury good.”

At one campaign event, a high school senior asked Mitt Romney “I was just curious about what you would do, if elected, you would do with regards to college tuition.”  Mitt Romney’s response: “The best thing I can do for you is to tell you to shop around.”   If we double student loan interest rates, raise tuition at public schools, and decrease Pell Grants, many young people from poor families will “shop around” and decide they just can’t afford to go to college, university or vocational school.  Our country will be left with fewer nurses, scientists,teachers, inventors, entrepreneurs and other skilled professionals with the knowledge needed to build a better tomorrow.

If we leave it up to Republicans at the state and national level, tuition costs at public colleges and universities will continue to rise, while the quality of these institution degrades, and less and less financial aid is available for needy families.   

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Four things you can do:

(1) Write a letter to the editor to your college newspaper or local newspaper!  Tell them that you don’t want the United States Congress to allow Stafford loan rates to double, and that you believe the United States and North Carolina need to renew their investment in education.

(2) Tell the United States Congress not to raise student loan interest rates!  Use the hashtag #dontdoublemyrates on Twitter.  Share information about the problem on your Facebook page.

(3) Vote for President Obama and other pro-education politicians in November, and encourage your friends to do the same.

(4) Make sure that your conservative and Republican classmates know and understand how Republican education policies are damaging North Carolina colleges, community colleges and universities.

The evidence is clear — college students across party lines are soundly against North Carolina Amendment One.

UNCC Student Government passes resolution against Amendment One

It’s not surprising that there would be such widespread opposition to an amendment that would forbid civil unions and stop unmarried couples–and their children–from receiving any legal recognition from the state.  Even conservative supporters of Proposition 8 in California have come out against Amendment One, saying it goes way too far!

Polling done of Duke students shows that students who plan to vote against Amendment One outnumber the total number of students who don’t plan to vote or plan to vote for the Amendment by a whopping 20 to one.  At least nine student governments of universities across the state have passed resolutions against Amendment One.

Now, students across the country  are teaming up to help raise awareness about Amendment One and reminding those who stand opposed to discrimination to make it out to the polls during Early Voting (April 19-May 5) and on Election Day (May 8th).

You can help!

Please join us on one of our two national phonebanks where members of College Democrat chapters nationwide and College Democrats of NC work together to call North Carolina voters through Protect All NC Families.

April 17th – 7-9pm

May 4th – 7-9pm

You can phonebank from your computer, either by yourself or with friends!  (They don’t have to be Democrats!) Please fill out this form to express your interest (whether tentative or confirmed).

This past summer, the College Democrats of North Carolina were awarded the 2011 State Federation of the Year Award at the 2011 College Democrats of America National Convention.  The 2010-2011 year was the most successful year CDNC has ever had – with groundbreaking events and programs like our Historically Black College & University Leadership Conference, grant program, and unprecedented fall campaign programs.  It was an honor to be recognized for those efforts on a national level with the most prestigious award that can be given to a state federation.

The state federation award was not the only thing CDNC was recognized for at the national convention.  Travis Crayton, Vice President of College Democrats of North Carolina, was also awarded a 2011 Rising Star award.  Tori Taylor, former CDNC President, was elected National Council Chair and Eliza Hernandez, current CDNC President, was elected National Political Director.

We are excited to begin another great year of programs and events to build on our successes from last year.  We have no doubt that College Democrats of North Carolina will remain one of the best state federations in the country for years to come.  Thanks to all our chapters, members, and supporters that made this award possible for our state!

Last night, Democrats across the state of North Carolina were disappointed with the election results.  We lost several hard battles, including the one for our U.S. Senate seat and our General Assembly.  We watched the candidates we’ve worked so hard for fall to extreme right-wing candidates across the state. Last night, we saw that we have to make sure that we give 110% in order to keep moving North Carolina forward.

This was a hard election for Democrats across the country, especially College Democrats.  Many of us got involved with politics in 2008 and this is the first time we’ve experienced such a loss.  I don’t know what the next two years will hold for North Carolina.  I don’t know what it will hold for our country either.  But let me tell you something I do know.  I know what the future holds for us.  I know we will get back on our feet.  Why?  Because that’s what we do.  We may lose an election, our candidates may fall, but we live to see another day.  Each and every one of us has a burning passion for the ideals of the Democratic Party.  That passion cannot be put out by a single election.  Politics is not a game, it’s not a sport.  It’s about you, me, and the people we fight for.  These battles we fight every day are about our communities, schools, and the struggles of our neighbors.  Democrats are going to continue working hard in this state and across the country in order to keep the promise of change alive.   We can let this election be a setback, or we can brush our shoulders off, hold our heads high, and continue to move this country to uphold the promise of freedom to every citizen.

Why?  Because no matter how bad it feels in the moment, there will always be one thing that unites us.  Each and every one of us has a burning passion for the ideals of the Democratic Party.  We don’t give up.  We may get knocked down, but we never stay down.  Tomorrow is a new day.  We will continue to work hard to inspire young people into action across North Carolina. I’m proud of each and every one of you today.  North Carolina has an amazing group of College Democrats.   From Asheville to Wilmington, you all worked extremely hard this election cycle, despite a tough political climate.  No matter what odds we face, no matter how many polls are against us, we carry on with the same energy and dedication.  We have more battles to fight and a war to win.  Let’s keep pushing on 2012 in mind.  This is not the end, but a wake up call on how challenging change is to make.  This is not a time to remain defeated; it is a time to keep hope alive. 

Be proud of the work you’ve done, College Democrats.  On to the next one!

On behalf of the College Democrats of North Carolina Executive Board,

Thank you.

Tori Taylor
President, College Democrats of North Carolina