There is a television commercial that has been airing recently in which a top retailer pledges to make a tremendous investment in American manufacturing and, in turn, create a million jobs.
As the song “Dream On” by Aerosmith plays in the background of the commercial, the company touts its investment as “an investment in the American dream.”
It’s a sentiment I certainly understand and appreciate. As a state senator, I view South Carolina’s investment in education – from 4-year-old kindergarten programs to college and university funding – as an investment in the American Dream.
It’s no secret I believe education is a key to prosperity. A good education combined with hard work can open the doors of opportunity for our young people. But a Senate colleague, Senator Darrell Jackson of Richland County, is concerned the doors of opportunity are narrowing for our youth.
Some recent media reports have highlighted a growing trend at our public colleges and universities. An increasing number of these institutions are accepting more out-of-state students, shifting the make-up of campus enrollment and, possibly, limiting the educational opportunities for South Carolina residents.
Some colleges and universities are accepting more out-of-state students simply to boost their bottom lines. They can charge out-of-state students more for tuition and fees than in-state students.
Officials at these institutions say the move toward increasing out-of-state student enrollment was prompted largely by a decrease in state funding for colleges and universities by the General Assembly.
Indeed, since the Great Recession, state funding at public colleges and universities has dropped significantly. In the 2007-08 budget year, higher education represented 13 percent of General Fund appropriations. By the 2016-17 budget year, only 8 percent of General Fund dollars were spent on higher education.
However, some colleges and universities now are charging out-of-state students the same rate for tuition and fees as in-state students.
The implication of the policy is that South Carolina residents are subsidizing the reduced higher education costs for out-of-state students.
Jackson relayed his concerns to Senator Harvey S. Peeler Jr., the acting chairman of the Senate Education Committee.
“Therefore, I am urging you to take an important step toward ensuring our colleges and universities are serving the residents and businesses of South Carolina by holding a series of public hearings related to these expressed concerns,” Jackson wrote Peeler in May. “Our institutions of higher education should provide pathways to prosperity for our residents while meeting workforce needs and helping to ensure the state’s economic competitiveness.”
A meeting on this topic is in the works for later this summer. It is certainly understandable why people are drawn to our great state – as well as our great colleges and universities. And, whether you were born here – or settled here – our state needs to be a place where everyone has an equal opportunity to “Dream On” and achieve his or her dream.
It is an honor to serve you in Columbia, and I am grateful for your continued support.
As with all matters concerning state government, I want to hear your opinions and suggestions concerning these issues. Please contact me in my Columbia office located at 608 Gressette Office Building. You can reach me, or a member of my staff in Columbia at (803) 212-6000 or by fax at (803) 212-6011. My district office is located at 2325 East Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571, the phone number is (843) 423-8237 and the fax number is (843) 431-6049. You may also email me at kentwilliams@scsenate.gov.
As always, I also want to supply you with my business phone number so that you will able to reach me easily at any time. My business phone is (843) 423-3904. Please use this information to write, call or email me with your suggestions and concerns regarding issues before the Senate and in our community.
