In my last entry, I said a lot of bad things about San Jose State. My home university is an incredible pain in the ass, as are all California State University and University of California schools are. Long story short: the state cut $1.5 billion in funding to the public college budget (including community colleges), so everyone's feeling it.
And like I said, I don't blame SJSU's incompetence on the lack of funding. But, if that's what has really plunged the university into a state of idiocy, I am scared for what could happen to universities in the Dominican Republic.
There are about 20 universities in Santo Domingo, and around five in Santiago de los Caballeros, the two largest cities in the D.R. Those two cities make up about 4.5 million of the 10 million-ish national population. Naturally, the most populous areas hold the most colleges and universities.
I'm focusing on Santo Domingo for this blog post because it's where I'm living and it's the city I know most about. However, the university situation is the same for students across the country. Wealthy students get to attend. There's little to no middle class here. Rural students are often S.O.L. because of the fact that there no schools out in the country, plus rural students are most likely poor.
There is one public university in Santo Domingo, La Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo. It has over 170,000 students. The rest of the schools in the city are private and have much smaller enrollment, often in the low thousands. My school, UNIBE, has 4,500 students. It's hard for students to attend the public university here because of the economic stuff I mentioned before.
Last week a story broke in the news about UASD considering privatization to solve its budget problems. I don't know all of the details of that, but I can't see how that would help things at all.
The fact that the one public university in the nation is in dire financial trouble AND considering privatization is extremely alarming to me. I'm a firm believer in education and what it can do for a nation and for society. It gives us power. It gives us purpose. It's necessary for democracy and for progress. I think of the students who won't get a chance to attend university here, due to their own lack of funding and due to UASD's problems, and my heart breaks for them and for this nation.
In the States, there are many more options for those who want to go to college. If it's a matter of funding, or bad grades, community colleges are an affordable option to get your general education done--equivalent to about half of your bachelor's degree requirements. I went to community college first and managed to pay for my general education requirements out of pocket. I attended a top school which transfers large numbers of students to UC and CSU. My CC had transfer agreements with UC and CSU schools to ensure admission.
The only requirement for enrolling at my CC for general education transfer was to be 18 and have a high school diploma or GED. But I know the schools offer classes and programs for students under 18 and can help students get their GED and diplomas.
I'm glad I picked CC first. It was the best idea I've ever had.
Back to university admissions in the States. Public universities can be selective, and some state schools have impacted and competitive majors which require high grades and lots of achievements. But if the student really wants to go to college, there's a school for that student somewhere. And funding is out there, in grants, loans, and scholarships. I have god awful credit and I still got federal funding to cover my housing and tuition, and I've won a few scholarships.
I haven't seen anything that indicates that's the case in the D.R., in terms of open university slots and funding.
Of course, I only have real world experience with my university here. UNIBE is one of the most prestigious schools in the D.R. It has a renowned med school and has programs in engineering, business, architecture; you know, fast-growing and in-demand careers. Lots of international students go here. Nobody here screws around, either. In every one of my classes at SJSU, I've seen students mailing it in. Texting in class. Not bothering to do the work. Not even showing up but for the midterms and paper due dates.
I think education is a gift and that gift should not be wasted. I see a much different attitude here in the D.R. for people who want to attend school, which looks to be almost 100% of the students. I've seen too many students at SJSU and my CC who can't be bothered and that's just wrong.
It's as wrong as the possibility of taking away public education for university students in the D.R.
Sadly, my trip to las Hermanas Mirabal museum today was postponed because a massive storm rolled in this afternoon. Instead I watched the lighting flash over the city skyline and wrote an article for my internship.
Tomorrow I have history class, followed by a whole weekend of freedom! Saturday class was cancelled due a national holiday. What do I do with myself with two whole days off?
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