Politics & Government
FSU President Participates in White House Forum on College Affordability
"We have an important challenge in front of us," said the Framingham State University president Timothy Flanagan. "Producing more with less will require creativity and resourcefulness. And the consequences of our efforts, for students, communities and the
Policy advisors for President Barack Obama recently hosted President Timothy J. Flanagan and other public college and university presidents from around the country for a roundtable at the White House on the topics of college access, affordability and completion.
“This was a great opportunity for face-to-face dialogue between White House officials and leaders of America’s four-year public colleges and universities about critical issues of access, affordability and achievement,” President Flanagan said.
The presidents who participated are all members of the Council of State Representatives of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), a Washington-based association representing 420 public higher education institutions. As Massachusetts’ representative on the council, Flanagan works directly with the organization to develop its national policy agenda and helps keep the group informed about higher education policy issues.
The 90-minute discussion was led by President Obama’s Senior Education Advisor Zakiya Smith; Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education Tony Miller; Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Munoz; and Council of Economic Advisors Member Katherine Abraham.
President Obama’s administration is currently exploring constructive solutions to holding down college costs and making higher education more affordable and attainable, while also increasing college completion rates for those who do attend. But this effort comes at a time when 30 to 60 percent of college freshman require remediation, more college students require assistance with learning and psychological issues and costs to upgrade technology and to hire quality faculty continue to increase. Public schools across the country are also facing declining state tax dollar support, putting pressure on student fees to make up the shortfall.
“We have an important challenge in front of us,” said the Framingham State University president. “Producing more with less will require creativity and resourcefulness. And the consequences of our efforts, for students, communities and the nation, will define America’s position in the world for decades.”
