Our Colorado state legislature is currently considering SB 126, the Colorado ASSET bill, legislation that would permit undocumented students to pay unsubsidized in-state tuition in Colorado (i.e., students would not qualify for Colorado Opportunity Funds). According to Colorado State Legislative Council Staff, there will be no cost to the state for SB 126 as undocumented students would not be eligible for Colorado Opportunity Funds. In fact, the fiscal note assumes that SB 126 will generate between $215,625 and $431,250 in revenue for our universities and colleges. SB 126 will play a critical role in the economic recovery of this state by creating a more educated workforce. We have invested in these kids’ K-12 education and now we must realize that investment. Colorado has the second highest percentage of college graduates in the nation, but ranks 32nd in sending our own high school graduates to college. Failing to educate our students has implications not just for education, but for our economy. Eleven states have policies in place that provide access to higher education for undocumented youth by permitting them to pay in-state tuition.
This legislative session, Colorado is one of two states in the nation considering in-state tuition legislation in a climate that is very much anti-immigrant. There is a lot of momentum in Colorado right now to get SB 126 passed– young people are organizing in amazing ways all around the state including at our own local university. During the last few months a University of Colorado at Boulder student group, Eye Resist, has organized to educate our campus and local community about Colorado ASSET and if you did not see the press on their event last week here is one link.
Eye Resist is now working to persuade the entire board of regents to support SB 126. This is a bold move–one that needs support from across our community. This is a call to action asking members of our community to write letters to four of the regents –either as an individual or from your business, school/college, department, student group, or research center—in support of SB 126.
Please take the time to send four letters out to our CU regents by next Monday the 21st of February. If you have any questions about SB 126 or need help crafting your letter, please do not hesitate to contact the Higher Education Access Alliance.
CU REGENT—CONTACT INFORMATION
Mr. Tilman “Tillie” Bishop
2255 Piazza Way
Grand Junction, CO 81506
Blackberry: 970-210-3820 (fax: 970-243-9676)
E-mail: Tillie.Bishop@cu.edu
Mr. Steve Bosley
4370 Nelson Dr
Broomfield, CO 80023
Cell: 303-817-1583 (fax 303-997-6664)
E-mail: Steve.Bosley@cu.edu
Mr. Kyle Hybl, Chair
P.O. Box 60754
Colorado Springs, CO 80960
Blackberry: 719-322-6226 (fax: 719- 471-6273)
E-mail: Kyle.Hybl@cu.edu
Ms. Sue Sharkey
c/o Office of the Board of Regents
1800 Grant St., Suite 800
Denver, CO 80203
Cell: 970-673-2517
E-mail: Sue.Sharkey@cu.edu
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...