Prior to a “fireside chat” with LSU President F. King Alexander, U.S. Education Secretary John B. King detailed to an auditorium full of reporters, students and higher education leaders his experience watching of Cameron Sterling, the 15-year-old son of Alton Sterling who was killed by police this summer, at a press conference.
King said Cameron provided a glimpse of the “vast potential of every young person on every street and neighborhood” in America.
“I watched this teen, who had just lost his father to sudden, shattering violence, call on Americans of every race and background to come together as one united family.”
King’s appearance in Baton Rouge Friday came at the conclusion of the final leg of “Opportunity Across America” back-to-school bus tour. The tour also stopped in Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Virginia before cruising to Louisiana.
Before speaking at the University, the secretary visited University Terrace Elementary School, where he distributed school supplies and spoke with teachers and students affected by flooding, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Education.
King and Alexander discussed numerous topics relating to higher education and college affordability. King said one of the most common factors driving college tuition up is disinvestment in higher education at the state level.
“States should put more dollars into public higher education,” King said. “Our challenge throughout the country is getting governors and legislatures to see that the investment in higher education is not an expense. It’s a long-term investment for the good of the state’s economy.”
In July, the LSU Board of Supervisors voted to raise tuition by $242 per semester for in-state undergraduate students. That came on the heels of the Louisiana State Legislature failing to fund the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) at 93 percent for this fall and 47 percent for the spring.
Another recurring topic, which was brought up by an audience member, was federal and state aid for undocumented students who came with their parents to America illegally.
“We should make higher ed support at the federal level available to students who are undocumented,” King said. “Unfortunately, there are significant political obstacles in the way of that. It’s important that we support our undocumented students.
Alexander told the news media afterward he agreed with the secretary, adding, “Why is it okay for undocumented students to fight and die for our country and protect us, but then we don’t give them federal student aid?”
King said he thought Louisiana was a fitting place to end the bus tour, as the University is “creating a culture of access for all students.” King said last year the University posted its highest fall and spring sixth-year graduation rates, including increasing enrollment and graduation for African-American students.
“This is, therefore, a fitting place to celebrate the progress we’ve made as a country over the last seven-and-a-half years to increase access, affordability and completion,” King said. “It’s also a fitting place to assess the work we have left to do.”
LSU President meets with Sec. of Education to talk college affordability, access
September 17, 2016
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