Help students get what they’ve earned

             Today in class we learned that the UT system has considered raising their tuition in order to attract and keep instructors.  With stories like these about students being targeted for their money, a title like “Help Students Get What They’ve Earned” from the Fort Worth Star Telegram catches one’s attention.  

            The editorial does a good job attracting its intended audience: students, both past and present.  The article plainly explains the benefits of a recent program passed by legislation, “Reverse Transfer”, which would award diplomas for transfer students who have earned enough credits but have transferred to a four-year university.  The argument the editorial makes is that “Life happens” and awarding a diploma to a student not only gives “a sense of accomplishment” but also that this may lead to a higher salary.  

           

            Although the editorial does a good job at informing the readers of the benefits of such a program, I do believe that a non-student would have questions.  Questions to do with funding and exactly how many people this program would benefit.   It does mention that about 270,000 students could be eligible to receive a diploma through this program, but I think more data in regards to how many people begin college but do not earn a degree would have helped solidify the argument.

            This does seem like a no-brainer argument.  Diplomas are good!  But I am speaking like a student…. So my opinion is of course biased.