Everett Community College is in the process of eliminating tuition breaks for veterans and children of police and firefighters who died while on duty. Someone there is confusing gratitude with need. Those breaks were never meant to be doled out based on the vet’s or child’s needs. The reductions were established as the community’s way to show gratitude for willingness to serve, even to die for the community. This is the peak of patriotism. Just as we citizens have not had to beg to be protected, these recipients have not had to beg or justify their need for education. We voluntarily gave it to them.
Now we are in tight financial times. The college board has asked the EvCC president to make recommendations for changes. Like a stealth bomber flying under the radar, his administrator whips out a policy. The result: more financial aid to “needy” non-resident students; just take it from the vets and kids.
The biggest insults of all are the administrator’s attitude: if students believe they have pressing financial needs, they can apply for financial aid or go to another community college. Never mind the commute or any of the other long-term losses to Everett. Never mind the shortsighted administrator.
Recently, thousands of us welcomed back our ship and thanked her sailors for their willingness to protect us. Now our college is saying we are not grateful for that kind of devotion and protection. It’s not too late to correct that. Let the EvCC president and the board hear our community outrage and reverse these decisions.
Everett
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