Our host for last night's Issues and Ale, ABC Microbrewery, sits just off of the Eastern Michigan University campus in Ypsilanti. Plus, Washtenaw Community College and the University of Michigan are right down the road.
So it came as no surprise that our audience had a lot to contribute to our Issues and Ale discussion about college access and affordability.
Our panelists were Ron French, senior writer at Bridge Magazine, Joi Rencher, of Eastern Michigan University's Mentorship Access Guidance in College program and Rachel Osmer, a college adviser at Ypsilanti Community Schools. State of Opportunity's Jennifer Guerra was our host.
Some topics we covered:
What challenges low-income students face, and what colleges can do to address those:
Rencher: Students feel out of place, so anything that helps students feel connected- like helping them join student orgs.
— Issues & Ale (@Issues_Ale) October 27, 2015
But also making students aware of all the resources available to them, whether office hours or financial aid counseling.
— Issues & Ale (@Issues_Ale) October 27, 2015
The ever-rising cost of tuition:
Student in the audience: Where does my tuition money actually go? I know it impacts us everyday, but I don't even know where it goes.
— Issues & Ale (@Issues_Ale) October 27, 2015
An answer to a question from the audience last night about where tuition dollars go. Thanks @billhd! https://t.co/cL4H46k3p9
— Issues & Ale (@Issues_Ale) October 28, 2015
How post-high school plans are viewed:
From the audience: Community college is not just a place that students go because they couldn't get in anywhere else. #IssuesandAle
Audience Q: On the flip side, is it possible that college is over promoted, that it's just what you're expected to do next? #IssuesandAle
— Issues & Ale (@Issues_Ale) October 27, 2015
The panelists' number one priorities:
French: College affordability. Osmer: More counselors. Rencher: Support for continuing education for staff and faculty.
— Issues & Ale (@Issues_Ale) October 28, 2015
Catch up with the whole conversation on our Twitter feed or check back later to listen to audio from the event. Want to hear about upcoming events? Sign up for Michigan Radio's newsletter.
