Jonathan's Voice
How have increased tuition fees impacted you and your family?:
I am working full time, while getting my MBA at San Francisco State University at night. Therefore, time and money are tight for my wife and me. But we are making it work in the hopes of a better future for tomorrow.
My wife and I have lived in California for more than 3 years. We moved here because we believed in the idea of California -- that a state can invest in itself and its people in order to be a leader and model for the rest of the country
However, it appears that California is gradually removing itself from that ideal. Each year, both my base tuition and my fees increase dramatically. It has become clear that California is becoming "just another state" when it comes to higher education -- where investment in the next generation is reduced in order to keep taxes low for those that have already succeeded. What a shame.
I love living in California, but we cannot keep accommodating these tuition increases. I have 1.5 years left in the MBA program, but each semester it gets more difficult to pay the bills.
What are you studying at SF State and what do you hope to do once you graduate?:
I am getting my MBA, which I hope to combine with my current profession as an environmental and land use planner. I want to find a new place where business interests and community development and advocacy can intersect, to make sustainable communities while also generating a fair return for investors. I believe that California has several such existing regulations that do this -- including the CEQA process. In addition, California is on the leading edge of the greenhouse gas reduction revolution, and I believe there will be a place for someone with my work experience and business training to make a difference.
Jonathan C., 33 San Francisco
Share this story:
