| Summary: | Friday, March 12,1903 • OPINION • THE CONCORDIAN • 5 From the minds of babes. Circular contemplation This past Monday I went to the Centrum and subjected myself to an hour's worth of well-packaged propaganda, taken by many to be fact simply because it came from the mouth of a well-known journalist who happened to be the most expensively dressed person in the building, except for the SA plutarchy in the front (If you don't know the meaning of "plutarchy" I highly recommend looking it up, I did.) Do not think for one minute that I didn't appreciate having a man like Robert Novak on campus. I enjoyed his presence and took into consideration many of the things he brought up, which leads me to this week's Circular Contemplation. Literally from the mouths of babes, Mr. Novak was asked by a young girl what he thought of people donating money for the deficit Mr. Novak replied by saying that anyone who voluntarily donates money to the government should undergo a complete mental examination. Of course Mr. Novak, being a political insider, then cited government waste, fraud, and abuse as deterrents against anyone thinking about giving the government more money. He said that he could give the girl a list of several fine charities that could find more worthwhile uses for her money or anyone else's. Mr. Novak obviously fails to understand his own capitalist, private sector, make your own buck philosophies because I can think of no better capitalist than that ingenious lad from Fargo who decided to send Clinton $1000. One of my biggest regrets of 1993 is that I wasn't smart enough to think of a ploy to receive the kind of attention given to the 14 year-old donator. Through die simple sacrifice of $1000 (a sum I'm sure I could have found a way to manage) this do-gooder got his face on most major newspapers, was on most of the nightly news shows, got a phone call from Clinton, was on the Today Show, was on Donahue, and has probably gained more publicity in the last month than 111 gather in a lifetime. With all this, another easy road to fame is gone, and I stand with an even greater chance I will have to actually get good at something in order to get national recognition. What he gained was worth far more than what he wagered. This kid is the greatest capitalist since RT. Barnum. And since the ultimate flattery is imitation, he is up to his armpits in flattery because many businesses have followed the boy's lead and begun to capitalize in a similar fashion. Witness the new ad campaign by the makers of Eskimo Pies: "Eat away the deficit! With every person who purchases a delicious Eskimo Pie, five cents will be contributed to deficit reduction." Robert Novak mentioned that a maker of bubble gum has started a similar system. (The buyers of bubble gum must be chewing and blowing away the deficit; either that or they are right now sticking the deficit under a desk.) These new deficit-donating ad campaigns are expected to be highly successful and more than likely they will be copied by several more companies. In many ways, the idea was sparked by the publicity given to that 14 year-old deficit-buster in Fargo. I ask you, who should have a complete mental examination, the boy who receives national fame worth far more than the size of his contribution, or the man who preaches capitalism only to scoff at such an inventive and lucrative capitalization upon the prevailing attitudes in America? When all was said and done, I can honestly say that I enjoyed Mr. Novak. Not because everything he said was brilliant and true, but because he made me think. Of course now that I'm done thinking about Mr. Novak, I can turn my attention toward more pressing matters, like how I might be able to get myself on Donahue or the Today Show. • Proposed change in Minnesota's financial aid system more fair Guest Column By Bryan Lord A change in the Minnesota financial aid system was recently proposed by the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board An extensive study of college and university students across the state revealed that students from low-income families are underrepresented in Minnesota's colleges and universities, and bear a comparatively heavy financial burden if they do attend these institutions. Supporters have stated that the goal of the HECB plan is to help provide low- and moderate-income Minnesotans with access and choice in their pursuit of a college education. Unfortunately, this discussion has been diverted from a conversation focused on making education affordable to an attack by public college representatives on Minnesota's private colleges and their students. The public colleges have chosen to focus disclosure of the facts solely on the grant dollars provided by the state's financial aid system. However, in doing so, they fail to include critical information to this debate and unjustly portray the function of private colleges in the states higher education system. Minnesota currently spends $1 billion annually for higher education, with 92% of the non-capital expenditures directly subsidizing the public higher education systems in Minnesota This leaves 8% of the non-capital expenditures to the Minnesota state grant program. While it is true that 58% of these grant dollars were received by private college students, private college aid translates into only 3% of the total state spending for higher education. Furthermore, this 3% is all in the form of need-based financial aid; private institutions receive no direct assistance from the State of Minnesota. By educating 37,000 students each year for only the cost of need-based financial aid, private colleges save the taxpayers at least $150 million annually, or $4,000 per student. The HECB's proposal is similar to the plan that is reflected in Governor Ame Carlson's budget proposal for the 93-94 biennium. He describes his approach as "supporting students while assisting institutions.*1 This proposal to increase state appropriations for financial aid rather than to direct institutional subsidies reflects significant changes in how Minnesota would finance higher education. His plan would significantly increase the amount of financial aid dollars available to all students and allow all families with incomes under $45,000 to see a net decrease in cost at public or private institutions. This change will amount to a 40% increase in total state spending for students attending private colleges, but the reason for this is clear. Students of Minnesota's private institutions have a median family income of $45,500 which falls right between the University of Minnesota's median family income at $48,250 and the state universities at $42,250. Private college students certainly aren't rich, and will be eligible for these need-based State grant dollars just like public college and university students. The state's source of revenue is Minnesota tax dollars, which are paid by private college students and their families, just like all other Minnesotans. Instead of suggesting that public institutions will be paying to support private college students, we should emphasize that this plan shifts public money into the hands of low family income students, passes some of the cost onto those families that can afford tuition increases, and lets all students choose the institution that best suits their needs and interests. All needy students, whether they individually choose a private or public institution should have access to state educational support — based cm their demonstrated need. This is precisely what the HECB and Governor's plan provides. The road is not easy for any of the state's college and university students, but it's time to set politics aside and see the true and fair benefits that this plan provides for all Minnesotans seeking higher education. It's time that public college and university representatives stop stereotyping private college students as rich and money hungry. It's time the legislature incorporates a plan that serves the citizens of the State of Minnesota in the best and fairest way possible. The Student Association is assembling a delegation from Concordia to let our representatives in St. Paul hear the truth about our students' financial needs. If you are interested in this effort and your financial aid, call the SA Office at 4507 or 4508 or stop by during our office hours to see how you may be involved. • Bryan Lord, a junior from Belgrade, Minn., is the Student Association president. Reader's guide to the editorial and opinion pages In response to confusion about the nature of the contents of the editorial and opinion pages and the procedure for contributing material, the Concordian would like to clarify the purpose and guidelines of these pages. Editorial The editorial is written by a member of the editorial staff and represents the majority view of the Editorial Board on issues judged to be of importance to the Concordia community. 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