School of Math and Science: Free Tuition Grants

It is OUTRAGEOUS and wrong for our state to give preferred treatment to the privileged few! I want the people of North Carolina to know and understand what has happened. Let me explain.

In 2003 the legislature included in its biannual budget, without open debate, free tuition grants at any state university for all graduates of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham (NCSSM). These grants are not available to graduates of any other high school! Sen. Kay Hagan of Greensboro served as chairwoman the Senate's Appropriation Committee and was the primary sponsor of this first-of-its kind legislation.

In 2004 the legislature, after much debate, included in its budget for 2004-2005 the free tuition grants, but added the requirement that the .Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina review, evaluate, and study. this provision and that NCSSM "collect data on the median family income" of its students and that both report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, their findings and recommendations. In turn, the Oversight Committee was directed to report this information and its findings and recommendations to the 2005 General Assembly.

This year (2005) the Senate included these grants in its proposed biannual budget while the House voted to eliminate them. The Budget Conference Committee accepted the Senate's version and approved continuing the funding of free tuition grants to all graduates of NCSSM. (It should be noted that the Oversight Committee made no recommendation to the 2005 General Assembly as requested, but noted in its report that "several committee members are concerned about limiting this tuition grant to graduates of the NCSSM as there are many highly qualified high school graduates of other schools in the State.")

I understand that this provision was put in the budget to keep the "best and the brightest" students in math and science in our state after graduation from college. While the motive behind this legislation may have been well intended, it is flawed and a bad idea. It is simply wrong to suggest that all of the "best and the brightest" in math and science go to NCSSM. Shouldn't the "best and the brightest" of our other 400-plus high schools be included? Furthermore, providing free tuition at state universities does not ensure that graduates will stay in North Carolina. In the Summer/Fall 2004 Edition of the NCSSM Magazine, the writer states, "Since the school's inception, 68% of NCSSM graduates have stayed in the state to attend college. However, a much smaller percentage remain in the state after graduation." There appears to be little, if any, correlation between going to college in North Carolina and in remaining in the state after graduation!

This attempt to promote certain careers over others by providing free tuition raises a question of priorities. While sponsors of this provision may well feel that mathematicians and scientists are our top priorities, I believe that teachers as well as other professionals are also important. Although North Carolina provides educational loans to students pursuing teaching careers, such loans must be paid back or satisfied by a specified period of teaching in our state. It is unjust to require repayment by prospective teachers and not of graduates of NCSSM.

These grants are unfair to hundreds of other high school graduates across our state who are equally qualified but have chosen to study at their local high school. They should be entitled to the same benefits and equal protection. How do we explain to these students why they are not entitled to the same benefits? Do you tell them that they are not smart enough, or that they went to the wrong school?

These grants are unfair to parents of other graduates - why should they have to pay for their children's college education and that of graduates from NCSSM? These grants are unfair to the other high schools in our state - special treatment of graduates of NCSSM causes other high schools to be perceived as second class.

Students at NCSSM already have been subsidized for two years at approximately $40,000-$45,000 per student. To continue these special college tuition grants worth $12,000 or so just isn't fair. It makes one wonder when enough is enough especially when the median family income for the 2005 and 2006 classes of NCSSM is $80,000-$89,000 compared to $55,000 for Wake County. Clearly most students at NCSSM are from affluent families and don.t need financial aid. This money could be better spent helping poor schools and needy students.

Free tuition grants was a decision by politicians and not by the people. I have talked to hundreds of people and found less than half a dozen who support grants just for graduates of this one school. These grants simply do not reflect the will of our people.

Let's be clear, this isn.t about politics. It is about fairness and fairness matters - it gives us all hope. Our country was founded on the simple principles that every individual counts and equal justice for all under the law - not just for the privileged few. It is not about the N.C. School of Science and Math. It is about graduates of NCSSM getting free college tuition grants that are not available to others. I believe that until we can provide free college tuition for all deserving students, it should be provided for none. If the legislature wants to give free tuition to high school students, let there be criteria that would consider all North Carolina high school students and not just graduates of NCSSM.

We have a responsibility to advocate for all our children and if we fail to do so then we fail ourselves and our children. Although my children are all grown and have children of their own, I am interested in my grandchildren and in your children and their children. I hope you will stand with me and take this fundamental issue of fairness to the streets - talk to your friends and neighbors, to your clubs and social groups and to your representatives and senators - above all to your senators! It was the Senate that kept the provision in the budget. Ask you PTSA to encourage the state organization to oppose these free grants just for NCSSM. Although PTSAs are represented in legislative matters by North Carolina PTA, individual members can and should, I believe, contact their legislators and express their opinions. Lets make democracy work.

We must spread our message throughout North Carolina from the mountains to the sea since every representative and senator is important. It is not to early to begin now. This issue will come up again at the short session of our legislature next year and we must get the word out ahead of time. While much progress has been made (the House of Representatives voted to eliminate these grants) much remains to be done (the Senate voted to continue these grants). Together we can make a difference.

I want for our children what they want for theirs. We should do the same for all who are qualified or for none.

If you desire more information or would like to support this cause please contact me.

Robert R. Gardner is a retired attorney and is Chairman of Friends for Fair Tuition Grants, a local group of concerned citizens. He can be reached by correspondence at 1409 Dellwood Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607 .