The little print of Harper's proposal

"The big print giveth and the little print taketh away."

This famous quote certainly applies to Harper College's bachelor degree proposal, Illinois HB1434.

The big print in the proposal says it will "not require any additional funding from local taxes or the state."

The little print allows the full use of all existing local property taxes and state community college funds.

According to Harper's survey, citizens do not want existing tax funds available for the bachelor degree programs. Only new state funding is desired.

The sponsor's big print says "more affordable."

The little print shows Harper has the highest cost of all Illinois state universities and community colleges.

Expanding a high cost system is less affordable.

The big print says, "It's a pilot program that ends in four years."

The little print says students are at risk if the program ends before they complete their degrees.

This looks like the first step in converting Illinois community colleges from two years to four years.

Illinois community college students are already suffering from state under funding. Adding two more years of students to their existing population without property tax or state funding for both instruction and added classroom space will be a disaster for Illinois community colleges, for Illinois citizens.

Harper's proposal is not free. It has a high hidden cost.

If the state is going to make this change, it should require cost documentation, as obtaining knowledge is the only reason for a pilot program.

The legislature should protect its students. If no tax money is to be used, the law should say so.

It should also ban community college funds and assets from subsidizing bachelor degrees, and it should assure that students in the program have a path to completion.

Richard F. Gillette

Executive Director

Save Community Colleges Org. Inc.

Tower Lakes