FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com THE COURIER SUN • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 17 oped BY KEN STAUFFER In 1983, after working in a different career field, I graduated from Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Queens. What drew me to enroll at Vaughn was an older brother who had already graduated from that institution and the ability to choose a private college, one that offered a unique set of programs in technology. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced his plans for free college tuition at public institutions for families with incomes of less than $125,000. I commend the governor for considering how to make college more affordable for families who want access to higher education. But, I ask the governor to also consider how to make affordability a priority while not unfairly penalizing private colleges in New York who produce half of all baccalaureate degrees (51 percent) and who serve a large percentage of underserved students. For more than 40 years, New York, through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), has helped more than 5 million students and families to meet the costs of higher education at both public and private colleges. TAP was designed to protect student choice and preserve the dignity and strength of New York’s higher education assets. The state’s approach to higher education is a bargain for taxpayers and one that is extremely successful. In New York, taxpayers devote a lower percentage of the state budget to higher education than all but seven states — it is a public/ private partnership that works. The governor’s plan, in addition to negatively affecting small colleges, also has significant implications for private Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Vaughn is one of six MSIs in New York, and 80 percent of Vaughn students are from a diverse background with an average family income of about $30,000. Private colleges across the state lead the way in degree completion with a 57 percent graduation rate. Should the governor’s plan proceed without protections for small institutions, especially MSIs, the impact could be devastating and significantly impact students’ ability to choose from a variety of educational experiences. Keeping the higher education sector strong should be a top priority, particularly in a state with such a diversity of institutions. The success of a small college like Vaughn, which provides degrees in the fields of aviation, engineering, technology and management, and produces graduates who are successful in launching their careers, is evidence of a system that is working. Collectively, New York’s independent colleges and universities generate $79.6 billion in economic activity and employ more than 406,000. Consider the legacy of higher education in New York — providing freedom of choice to every student which includes supporting both private and public colleges and universities. Together we will continue to produce graduates who contribute to their families, their communities and the success of New York. Ken Stauffer is a trustee at Vaughn College for Aeronautics and Technology, located in East Elmhurst. This October 1920 photo from the Ridgewood Times archives shows P.S. 91 rising out of what was once farmland at the corner of Central Avenue and 69th Street in Glendale. The five-story schoolhouse has educated thousands of children through the years and is now a public school from kindergarten through eighth grade. Send us your historic photos of Queens by email to editorial@qns.com, or mail printed pictures to A Look Back, c/o The Queens Courier, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed pictures will be carefully returned to you. letters & comments CITY MUST EXPLAIN BIOSWALES BETTER There has been a lot of discussion recently about the placement of bioswales, also known as rain gardens, in our communities. These structures are to be placed curbside, along our streets, for the purpose of absorbing runoff water in order to reduce flooding and to lower the amount of water running into our storm drains. The bioswales would be constructed, for the most part, between the curb and the sidewalk on city property. Bioswales are permeable areas that include plantings and a low barrier fence that take in runoff water and absorb it through a series of special soils and drainage stones. They are attractive and environmentally beneficial. Unfortunately the implementation of the bioswale program by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has caused many concerns and questions to be raised. People do not know enough about bioswales. DEP needs to do a better job of educating people as to what bioswales are and do. There is also the question as to who will maintain the bioswales. DEP claims they will come around to do that on a regular basis, however, many people are skeptical of city agency promises. These issues can be resolved through community discussion and better education efforts. Henry Euler, Bayside READER SAYS TRUMP’S DOING GREAT... Kudos to Queens native Donald Trump for a great inaugural address and solid start in office. Trump is right. Globalism is “Globa-loney.” We can’t be the world’s ATM machine sic and 911 emergency responder. Charity begins at home and so must our priorities. Critics say he’ll return us to fortress America. But fortresses protect people, open borders don’t... Our new president torpedoed the Trans-Pacific Partnernership and will renegotiate NAFTA. He insists U.S. companies replace outsourcing with insourcing. Everything they sell in the U.S.A. must now be made in the U.S.A. It’s time for all of us to put America first, last and always. Trump is right on track. Richard Reif, Kew Gardens Hills BUT THIS WRITER DOESN’T THINK SO. He’s done it again! Trump’s nominee to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services is Republican Tom Price. Besides evidence that shows Price purchased multiple healthcare stocks from certain companies while he worked on legislation that would help those exact companies, he is better known for his long-standing opposition to Obamacare and previous legislation to repeal the law, as well as cut Medicare and other social safety net programs. Let’s be clear! The man Trump wants to put in charge of America’s healthcare system was involved in (possible) insider trading to profit from medical companies and he wants to cut programs like Medicare. Is anyone really surprised? Trump has filled his cabinet with billionaires and campaigned on deregulation of businesses. Trump has definitely “drained the swamp,” directly into his Cabinet. What a disgrace. Robert LaRosa, Whitestone Free college tuition limits student choice A LOOK BACK
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