Organizations urge candidates to address higher education concerns

The floundering economy might be at the top of the priority list for presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain but six institutions said they think higher education needs to be considered even in lieu of more pressing issues.

Six of the predominant national higher education organizations drafted and presented a letter urging the candidates to address what they said were the five biggest concerns in higher education.

Stephanie Giesecke the director for budget and appropriations for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities" said that she doesn't expect the letter to have immediate results but that she hopes it facilitates discussion.

""I don't think we are asking them to act on anything right away"" she said. They might incorporate it into things they talk about in the next weeks to go. It helps to influence what they bring to the table and the new administration.""

They hope the goals — easier access to higher education" maintenance of public trust and transparency protection of a competitive edge in research and education an emphasis on international education and proactive partnerships between the government and education institutions — will be incorporated into the candidates' platforms.

Dan Hurley the director of state relations and policy analysis for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities" said the organizations decided to create broad goals to appeal to wider public support.

""Part of the nature of the higher education community is that it is remarkably diverse and each of the associations represent different constituencies"" he said.

College access and financial aid have been the most important issues for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Hurley said.

 Douglas Lauen, UNC assistant professor of public policy, said these proposals are common. He said he found the document bland, probably as a result of such diverse organizations issuing only one letter.

 Lauen said the letter failed to address primary and secondary education.

With the presidential candidates talking about education policy, he said he would have expected the groups to examine the quality of high schools.

 Colleges and universities rely on high school to prepare students for college"" he said. Many would argue they are falling down on that.""

 Giesecke said that education is unlikely to be a top priority until the United States passes this economic crisis — even though education is important to maintain a competitive edge in the global arena.

""At the beginning the top issue was war"" Giesecke said. Now the economy is such an overarching issue affecting everyone one way or another. (Education) just can't compete with Wall Street falling apart.""



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