Obama pledge: 100,000 U.S. students to study in China
President Barack Obama announced this week he wants to send 100,000 students over the next four years to China, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported Wednesday.
Here's a look at that promise and other higher education stories drawing interest this week.
1. 100,000 students to China
How will Obama meet this pledge?
No one's quite sure yet, but the magazine reported those details will be sorted out at a later date.
U.S. President Barack Obama tours the Great Wall in Badaling, China, Wednesday. Obama pledged to send 100,000 students to China over the next 4 years.
AP Photo |
Charles Dharapak
The pledge came during President Obama's trip to China this week. A subsequent U.S.-China joint statement noted China sends 100,000 students to the U.S. each year, but the U.S. sends only 20,000 students to China. By the Chronicle's count, that number's more like 13,000.
A spokesperson for the State Department was quoted in the article as saying China's voice in world affairs is becoming increasingly important, and more Americans need to learn the language.
Should the U.S. send more students to China? Are you a high school or college student who wants, or doesn't want, to visit and learn about China? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
2. Funding woes, more in-state rejections?
As universities struggle with big reductions in state funding, in-state teens may have a harder time getting into home state elite public institutions like the University of Michigan, according to a CBS Money Watch article.
According to the article, flagship universities are rejecting higher numbers of in-state students. At U-M, 35 percent of students are from out-of-state or abroad.
3. Tuition tax to raise cash for Pittsburgh
Speaking of funding, college-heavy Pittsburgh has come up with a plan to boost the city's coffers, Inside Higher Ed reports. The mayor has angered the city's 10 nonprofit colleges and universities by pushing through a 1 percent tax on tuition that would raise $16 million annually. Students would need to cough up an extra $27 to $409 a year.
Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
bunnyabbot
Fri, Nov 20, 2009 : 12:50 a.m.
um, why? when will the stupid ideas end? really, can I have a promise the stupid ides will end in 3ish years? stupid ideas cost too much money. If we could stop hearing these stupid ideas I would be happier to go back to the years where the gov't overpaid for hammers and toilet seat covers, at least (I believe) that money stayed in Amercia.
a2cents
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 2:44 p.m.
The concept of taxing students is wonderful. Rapidly increasing tuition would assure revenue growth. Private grade and high schools could also contribute.
jeepinkev
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 1:34 p.m.
Great! Now, not only are our job being shipped overseas, our students are being shipped over there too! Whats next?
djm12652
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 12:25 p.m.
Insidethehall....Amen...unfortunately a lot of fiscal damage has already been done.
InsideTheHall
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 12:08 p.m.
Obama is nothing more than a liberal elite dreamer and will be turfed in 12. "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - Margaret Thatcher
cinnabar7071
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 12:03 p.m.
Why? Their's a reason China sends 100,000 studends to the US. But why are we sending students to China. Oh well just fire up the presses and print some more money. The load on my kids back is so heavy none he wont notice the extra. Hope and change?
djm12652
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 12:02 p.m.
Well, Yellowrose10...uh...yea...for those that hoped for a change, they need to get out their checkbooks!
yellowrose10
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 11:41 a.m.
Who's going to pay for this?? Us taxpayers!!!!!!!