Frank Waterous

By Frank Waterous
Guest columnist

Recently, commentators in the media have questioned the value of a college education. Robert Samuelson of The Washington Post, for one, said the "college-for-all crusade has outlived its usefulness." In these tough economic times, with unemployment high and college graduates facing a bleak job market, the question might seem worthy of debate. But that's because the question misses the mark on two crucial points:

• The need for an expanded understanding that "college" includes much more than just four-year degrees.

By Frank Waterous

Recently, commentators in the media have questioned the value of a college education. Robert Samuelson of The Washington Post, (Herald, May 28) for one, said the "college-for-all crusade has outlived its usefulness."
Waterous Enlargephoto

In these tough economic times, with unemployment high and college graduates facing a bleak job market, the question might seem worthy of debate. But that's because the question misses the mark on two crucial points:

Jay Dedrick
CU Connections
(News and information for faculty and staff)

State funding woes remained at the center of discussion among higher education constituents during the current session of the Colorado General Assembly – and during a gathering of speakers and panelists last week steps away from the Capitol.

By Todd Engdahl
Education News Colorado

A judge's recent decision in the Lobato lawsuit dominated discussion Tuesday at the last meeting of a group that's been considering new school finance systems.

The Colorado School Finance Partnership, which been working for a year on funding issues, heard lengthy presentations on the decision from Kathleen Gebhardt, lead attorney for the successful plaintiffs, and others on about the potential impacts of the ruling on future funding of public education.

By Kirk Seigler
KUNC

Audio of this story

Colorado ranks near the bottom nationally for higher education funding. And colleges and universities are bracing for yet another round of deep budget cuts. It's thought that most could see anywhere from a 15-20% cut later this spring, as federal stimulus money that had staved off layoffs and further tuition increases runs out.

Generations of Coloradans have invested in our state, making sure this is a great place to live and work. Highways were built. City Halls. Colleges and universities. Parks and open spaces. Libraries.

Now, it's our turn, and we shouldn't drop the ball. The type of investments that previous generations made for our benefit would not be possible under Amendment 61.

Inside Higher Ed
By Doug Lederman

May 14, 2010

There is no dispute about just how bad things are for public higher education in Colorado. The governance structure has been weakened, and, like that of many states, Colorado's budget is a big-time mess. So nobody questions that something needed to be done, and fast, to get the state and its colleges through the next two years.

By Marianne Goodland
The Colorado Statesman

May 7, 2010

Steamboat Springs – The South Routt School District depends on the state's interest-free loan program.

By Todd Engdahl
Education News Colorado

Teacher quality will be the top education policy issue of the 2010 legislative session, but looming cuts in state K-12 support and proposed changes in teacher and public employee pensions will cast long shadows over the deliberations.
Colorado Senate chamber