Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Rick Perry wants to run schools like businesses

All eyes are on Govenor Rick Perry for help with the state’s $18-$25 billion deficit. Texans now wonder what will be on Perry’s agenda to address the issue, specifically for college students ask.

UTSA students are concerned that tuition will rise similar to this past year.  Perry has shown in the past that he has a high regard for higher education and in 2007 came out with his “Higher Education Reform.”

The reform states that college students will be given more funding, but with guidelines.

Perry’s reform suggests that students would receive a 60 percent increase in financial aid assuming students maintain a B average. Students would also be able to receive more financial aid for pursuing degrees in engineering technology, electrical engineering and computer science. Funding would also be used for recruiting new faculty to existing nursing schools.

Incentives for professors would include bonuses that would be determined by student evaluations and the grade that the students attain when exiting the course.

This reform has been compared to schools being run like businesses.

“I voted for  Rick Perry, but I don’t think it will be a good idea because teachers will be teaching the wrong ways for getting students to like them,” said junior communication and political science major Breanna Bussey.

These reforms for higher education have only been discussed, but this gives Texas college students an idea of what is to come.

 In 2009 Perry established the Higher Education Incentive Funding Task Force, which would set up incentives for universities, faculty and students.

“Incentive funds appropriated for FY 2009 will help eliminate the shortages of math and science teachers and undergraduate degrees, especially in technology (computer science, engineering, math and physical science), nursing and allied health,” Perry stated on his official website.

Small steps have been taken for the past several years to change the way that universities are run. This “busines s” like reform has caused resulted in differing opinions with students.

“Education is not a business, it’s not a corporation it’s an institution for knowledge” said Bussey.

 “Perry has lost touch with what it’s like to be in Texas. He is rich, so he doesn’t know what it’s like to have to deal with students, especially lower economic universities,” said English major Julian Blanco-Cerva.

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