HR 609 Analysis
So, the UAH College Democrats came to us asking to help block HR 609. So, I decided I’d do some digging…
- HR 609 on Thomas.LOC.gov. Typical, it’s hard to discern anything from the actual text [since it's modifying existing laws, which you'd have to find.
- Congressional Budget Office analysis of HR 609.
- American Federation of Teachers memorandum to Rep. McKeon. They do bring up some concerns, specifically the academic freedoms bit and the static cap on Pell grants.
- National Association of College and Universities Business Officers report on HR 609. NACUBO notes that spiraling costs are an issue and that institutions whose costs are spiraling out of control will be audited, which is a great thing.
- States' Public Interests Research Groups concerns re: HR 609.
The CBO linkage tells me that the student loans stuff is unchanged---the law does make amendments, but they're to the status quo. Consolidated loans are taken from interest rates that are the weighted average of the loans consolidated and takes it to the same kind of tied-to-T-Bills rate that normal student loans see. Lender insurance is decreased, but defaulted loans are the responsibility of the lenders, not the borrowers. Loan limits increase. Honestly, it looks like moderate market solutions being done with interest rates, which is fine ... if interest rates spike, lenders may simply choose not to lend to students.
The ATF folks make some points, especially with respect to Pell grants. Pell grants go to the poorest students, who are less likely to be able to re-pay upon graduation. [Why? They're probably trying to support their families with the jobs they get out of education, families without medical insurance or steady work. It's easy to underestimate this burden.]
I’m personally of the opinion that this is a political matter into which our SGA shouldn’t step. Some will disagree, though.
I would agree. It isn’t right for the SGA, who purports to speak for the entire student body, to generate a single political opinion. Persons who are passionate about this particular, or any other, political going-on could use the sheer apathy of 50+% of the representatives to say anything they want, and throw the weight of 7,000 people who had no say in it, because their reps couldn’t care less about what anyone is talking about, just what time it is.
Or maybe I’m just cynical.
September 28th, 2005 at 21:53I agree with Puddin. SGA has long gotten away from its main function of funneling student input to the administration. (I can’t say I don’t have some responsibility for that). But this is a political matter and the College Dems need to rally support through its activities and motivate people to call their representatives, not get a blanket blessing from SGA. I am sure the College Republicans and Libertarians would also have a differing view. I as the sole Authoritarian on campus know I do. Geof, as I am a grad student, please vote no, mister Senator, please.
September 29th, 2005 at 08:00I think there’s a fine line between issues like this and the fights we’ve addressed on the state level in re: funding, pro-ration, etc. I think we’re right to fight AEA’s attempts to have Higher Ed to take all the lumps here locally, but on this issue, I think it’s a separate issue, because there’s other concerns involved.
September 29th, 2005 at 10:46