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DPS backs 'tuition equity'

By Nancy Mitchell, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 19, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Denver Public Schools board members on Thursday put their support behind a change in state law that would allow undocumented students to pay less for college.

Board members voted 6-0 - with one member absent - in favor of a resolution for "tuition equity."

The resolution, which was passed Monday by the Denver City Council, calls for in-state tuition rates for children who were brought to the U.S. illegally and who have since graduated from Colorado high schools.

Because those students don't have legal citizenship, they now must pay out-of-state tuition rates. Those rates are usually at least double in-state rates.

"This is the civil rights movement of today . . . making sure college is affordable for all students," said Lincoln High School Principal Antonio Esquibel.

Esquibel was one of three DPS principals of mostly Hispanic schools who supported the resolution. So did students from at least four DPS schools and three advocacy groups, including Padres y Jovenes Unidos.

"We believe this is an injustice," said Gloria Renteria, a sophomore at North High School. "We all want the same access to a better future."

DPS board member Arturo Jimenez said the resolution is not coming from "a group of bleeding hearts." Instead, he said the tuition equity is continuing the investment already made in students who will be able to contribute more to society with college degrees.

Supporters of tuition equity have been presenting resolutions approved by various groups to state lawmakers. They say 10 states have passed similar laws.

Comments

  • December 19, 2008

    7 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    vudumom writes:

    This policy is nonsense. Why use tax payer money to educate illegals when it is illegal to hire them for jobs? Even the people who think it is okay for people to be here illegally call for the business owners to be fined for hiring illegals.
    Why would Denver set itself up for a lawsuit from citizens who feel if they give in-state tuition to someone here illegally they have to give it to everyone.
    There is a lawsuit against the state of California because of this very issue. So far California has spent millions defending it's policy. So far they have lost. I believe The 9th Curcuit Court has ruled against them.
    If the extremely liberal 9th Curcuit Court would rule this policy unconstitutional why would a state take this stance and try to get it by the citizens?
    This type of nonsense makes Colorado a santuary state. In a time when citizens are hurting and can't afford to send their children to college and a time when self paying students are struggling to pay for their tuition this is a slap in the face.
    If a person is smart enough to get into college, they should be smart enough to apply for citizenship. They could go back to their parents country of origin and apply like they should. One might say they shouldn't have to do that because their parents brought them here illegally or that it would take years to get back into the country illegally. Changing laws to accommodate illegal behavior is not going to help anyone.

  • December 19, 2008

    8:08 a.m.

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    peter303 writes:

    As long as the student has lived in Colorado for 12 months, like US citizens. Dont want people coming for an immediate cut, citizen or not.

  • December 20, 2008

    5:42 p.m.

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    pfwag writes:

    Sure, why not?

    We already pay around $750 MILLION A YEAR educating illegal aliens and their children. I'm sure the taxpayers can pony up a few tens of $million more to subsidize the higher education costs of foreign nationals.

    A private study, "A Compendium of Illegal Immigration Data" of March 28, 2006 by Donald Rice, documents that illegal aliens are costing the citizens and taxpayers of Colorado nearly $3 BILLION a year.

    In for a penny in for a pound, so we might as well add the costs of higher education to Colorado's foreign aide expenses.

    You can find the costs of the generosity being provided by the DPS board, Governor and Legislature documented at http://www.cohd23.com/Immigration.html

  • December 21, 2008

    7:15 p.m.

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    Spud41 writes:

    I guess my kids would be better of to be an alien student that a U.S. citizen. This stuff has got to stop.

  • December 21, 2008

    9:44 p.m.

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    idk writes:

    Okay, so let me get this right...city and state budgets are being slashed. Firefighters, city employees, police and others are facing salary cuts. K - 12 schools are looking at their budgets and trying to find ways to save $$. And the DPS school board and the Denver City Council vote to give lower tuition rates to illegals! Wow, and we wonder why Denver is in so much trouble. Instead of trying to provide more benefits to illegals, how about figuring out ways to stop providing a free K - 12 education to them and saving some $$ for the citizens?

  • December 22, 2008

    6:12 a.m.

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    DakotaPlainsman writes:

    This is an example of the political leaders lacking the moral courage to do the right thing. Condoning and rewarding illegal behavior is unforgiveable. It's like the town drunk who blows his paycheck at the bar buying drinks for his "friends", then goes home to his kids and tells them they have to go to bed without supper because they can't afford food.

  • December 23, 2008

    12:14 p.m.

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    misslevy writes:

    I totally agree "Condoning and rewarding illegal behavior is unforgiveable!" Bennett is still focused on the wrong thing!! DPS acheivement scores are still the lowest amoungst other districts, yet they are now focused on something that seems so irrelevant at this point. If they do something iilegal before they graduate they may get deported or they may just get caught and still be subjected to deportation. So what difference is it going to make until they GRADUATE and become college eligible. Personally I think it should be case by case. If they come here real young, I understand as long as they are decent law abiding individuals and show some effort to become a LEGAL citizen.