Tuesday, July 6, 2010
While nearly all students deserve — and are in much need of — a tuition reduction, a scholarship for descendants of KU graduates looks more like petty favoritism than an actual advantage for the student body.
The Jayhawk Generations Scholarship rewards out-of-state students who have a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, grandparent or step-grandparent who earned a KU degree. The Board of Regents approved a two-year trial run of the scholarship program in April 2009. Universities in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma have similar programs.
Not based on merit or need, this scholarship should be thrown out. This isn’t comparable to scholarships targeted toward one sex, nationality or income bracket. Those scholarships help to upturn social injustices, promote equality and push for a diverse student body.
Students must have at least a 3.25 high school grade point average and an ACT score of at least 29 to qualify for this scholarship. Those with an ACT score of 26 to 29 receive a 12 percent discount; those scoring 30 or above receive a 20 percent discount.
So, there is some academic standard to be met. But this scholarship’s premise is not based on merit.
Out of state tuition is, in fact, very expensive. Yes, scholarships are almost always a good thing.
But what have students related to KU alumni really earned over equally achieving first generation KU students? Or what do they bring to the table that first-generation students cannot?
Consider the KU community of students, graduates, faculty, staff, fans and friends and family members. When a first-generation Jayhawk is admitted to the University, he adds one more student and future graduate to the ranks. But he also brings family who might buy KU T-shirts and key chains. They could purchase football tickets to visit him in the fall. They might give to the libraries or to KU Endowment because they feel strongly about the education he’s receiving. This one (first-generation) student introduces a plethora of individuals to the KU brand.
That’s different from a student who comes from a chain of Jayhawk grads. If that student’s parents and grandparents are alumni, the KU community isn’t expanded. Their level of patronage is unlikely to change. If they gave to the University, they’ll probably continue. If they didn’t, they probably won’t start. The student and his network were already familiar with the University. Other than his out-of-state tuition dollars, not much is gained.
There’s nothing wrong with continuing family ties. Of course continued loyalty is a good thing. It’s easier to create repeat customers than it is to lure in new customers.
But this scholarship congratulates heredity. It rewards students for being part of something they were born into. It’s medieval.
This practice looks eerily similar to sorority and fraternity “legacies,” who are given preferential treatment during the recruitment process because of their parents’, grandparents’ or siblings’ participation in the greek organization.
This discount sends the message that those whose relatives went to school here are more valuable, more deserving and more important, when in fact, that’s absolutely not the case.
We should build and expand the KU community, not constrain it.
Regents solidify legacy tuition discount
Out-of-state students with family ties to the University can apply for Jayhawk ...
University offers new scholarship
The Kansas Board of Regents approved a new scholarship for out-of-state students ...
Editorial: Bill reducing legacy tuition deserves students’ ...
Legislation would encourage more out-of-state students to attend the University.
Princeton Review names KU a ‘Best Value ...
The title is awarded to universities based on academics, cost, financial aid, ...
Editorial: KU is a great value but ...
The University was listed on The Princeton Review's Top 100 Best-Valued colleges ...
KU families keep the crimson and blue ...
An alumni-organized magazine features KU families of many generations.
Students become more dependant on loans
Most current students don’t consider post-graduation income when borrowing money for college.
Leaving a lasting legacy
As Hemenway prepares to retire, he and others look back at how ...
Chambers: Tuition cuts will devalue degrees
The University of Kansas' tuition increases are in place for a good ...
First generation Jayhawks adjust to campus
Students with no background knowledge learn about University life as they go.
Admissions office ups recruitment efforts
The University of Kansas Office of Admissions is revamping recruitment by focusing ...
National Merit Scholar recruitment down
The University of Kansas’ merit scholar recruitment has dwindled since its peak ...
Donations increase despite economy
The Endowment Association supports students with scholarships, fellowships and awards.
Letter: KU shouldn't rely on athletic funds
Just because the University could theoretically be funded by athletics doesn't mean ...
Hudson: Out-of-state students hampered by steep tuition
More applicants could be gained from lower rate
Policies vary for dealing with displaced students
New scholarship funded by students
Donor support lessens as economy struggles. Students can participate in mud volleyball ...
Editorial: Senate redress evaluated
Student senators at The University of Kansas receive 15 in-state credis per ...
Hispanic high school students to attend summit
Hispanic high school students from all over the state of Kansas will ...
Students are fifth generation in family to ...
Three students follow family traditions as far back as the beginning of ...
The Other Two
Twenty-three students at KU who don’t hail from the lower 48 states
Know your Student Senate candidates
Learn more about the candidates for Student Senate
From foster child to college grad
Former foster children face a difficult road in college.
Prof. salaries cause of proposed tuition increase
Sophomores will not be affected by the change, but others may experience ...
Data shows study abroad myth is untrue
Students who study abroad are more likely to graduate in four years ...
SUA sees drop in sales of discount ...
Disappointing sales figures for an optional campus fee have left SUA puzzled.
Regents vote for fixed tuition
The Kansas Board of Regents moved one step closer to giving students ...
Improving Internet on campus
The University’s chosen provider, Apogee, works to respond to students’ issues with ...
New scholarship presentation today
The scholarship will be offered to low-income, first generation students.
Editorial: To see desired change, students need ...
students should be respectful of the commitment that both coalitions are making ...
Knutsen: A closer look into campus fees
A student at the University of Kansas ends up paying extra campus ...
New group creates volunteer opportunities
KU Advocacy Corps seeks to generate connections University and community-based service organizations
Hilltop offers student parents day care option
More than half of the children enrolled at the University's child care ...
Course fees continue to increase
Students already hit hard by the economic downturn are being charged more ...
Alumnus falls short in city commission election
Tom Johnson, general manager for KJHK, had hoped to increase student involvement ...
Miles from Ordinary
From Albania to Zimbabwe, KU students come from all over the world
Seder celebrated by students
The unsettled life of Sarah Bregman
How one student's tumultuous past gave her a chance for a better ...
Students struggle to raise grades
Freshmen seeing impact of poor performance during first college semester
Student Saver Card offers more discounts
Even with a budget cut and decrease in sales SUA is offering ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Editorial: Scholarship is petty favoritism
I don't see your logic.
Editorial: Scholarship is petty favoritism
While Kevin may think he has a bone to pick that everyone is in on - he's wrong. The discount applies to meritorious students who come from out of state. By attracting students, who have achieved things like, a 30 on their ACT - KU's discount offers them an opportunity to attend our University at a more cost-effective level. Bringing in smarter students by tricking them is always a good idea to me.
Editorial: Scholarship is petty favoritism
@zomgzomg Kevin is the author of this editorial.
Editorial: Scholarship is petty favoritism
This is a horrible article. Scholarship funds are endowed by private donors and they can attach whatever stipulations they want to the awards. You don't get any say in the matter.
Second, scholarships based on merit are just as worthwhile (or more so) than need-based scholarships. I am tired of this bleeding heart liberal "upturn social injustices, promote equality and push for a diverse student body" drivel. "Diverse" is such an insidious code word anyway, we all know that it does not mean actual cultural diversity.
Finally, these types of scholarship programs are a way to stay competitive with neighboring universities who are trying anything they can to recruit out-of-state students who end up paying more and often, staying in the state.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID