As tuition increases and state budget cuts strain highereducation, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is promising to makecollege education available to all students and create 10 millionnew jobs in the next four years as part of his national collegetour.
Following Kerry's stop at University of Rhode Island's FeinsteinProvidence campus Tuesday, he joined a conference call withreporters from various college newspapers, including The DailyHelmsman.
"Over the last three years college tuition has increased 28percent, and that's after taking inflation into account," Kerrysaid.
Tuition at state colleges and universities in Tennesseeincreased an average of $1,112 between 2000 and 2004, according tothe College Board. Kerry proposes a $25 billion fiscal aid packageto states and $50 billion in tax credits to help offset the budgetcrises that make tuition increases necessary.
"We're proposing a $4,000 per student tax credit for students tohelp reduce the effects of the past few years," he said.
During the conference, Kerry also discussed a proposed two-yearservice program for high school students to earn money forcollege.
"We want to provide an opportunity for students to serve intheir community for two years, and the government will provide forfour years of college," he said, adding, however, "We may have toscale back this program in terms of the numbers participating. ...I will keep the tuition tax credit for students and will fully fundNo Child Left Behind."
University of Memphis students agree that higher education is apriority for students.
"I think this is a big issue," said Megan Reed, freshman. "I hada problem getting aid to pay for school. My parents made too muchmoney to qualify for aid but not enough to pay for school."
However, other students are skeptical of Kerry's campaignpromises, saying that making higher education funding a priority onhis campus tour could be a way to secure the elusive 18- to24-year-old voter.
"If there's one thing with politicians, never take theirpromises at face value," said a U of M junior biology student.
Kerry also addressed questions about Social Security and the jobmarket during the conference.
"I will guarantee that Social Security will be there throughyour generation and the next," he said. "I do not intend to cutbenefits or privatize Social Security."
Kerry also offered a plan to create 10 million jobs for collegegraduates.
"These should be high-end, high paying jobs that collegegraduates need," he said.
One reporter asked Kerry about the two new Armed Forces brancheshe intends to create.
"There will be no draft," Kerry said. "We will have a moresensible foreign policy so that citizens will serve theircountry."
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, performing artist Jon Bon Joviand others will join Kerry at the final stops on his campus tourthrough Friday.
Remaining visits on Kerry's college tour include City College ofNew York City and University of Pittsburgh.