The
next three petitions are geared towards lowering college tuition and enacting the DREAM Act. The first one
asks, “Now, who wants a limited future? Who wants to lose education
opportunities just because they can’t afford them? I know I don’t.” Everyone
that wants to be able to go to college should be afforded the opportunity
without the worry of going into debt over it. This petition created by Kira
Gallancy clearly illustrates how many teenagers’ and twenty year olds feel
about the prospect of paying tens of thousands of dollars for a college
education, especially living in the current economy.
In
a second petition created by Margaret Medrecki titled “I’m 21 and Broke!” sends
it message simply, yet effectively. In it she writes, “Our world is powered by
technology and innovation. These ideas come from the bright minds of the young
people, many who would not been able to follow their dreams if not for
education.” Again those that want to go to college should be able to. Why should
a good brain go to waste, because of money? Most certainly not. Medrecki goes
on to state “on average, a student graduating with a four year undergraduate
degree leaves with over $24,000 of debt. This will take them the majority of
their lives to pay off.” This is clearly an insane practice that leads many to
give up their dreams because they simply cannot afford the cost of college.
The
third petition created by StudentsFirst is an effort to pass the DREAM Act. The
act would give immigrant children a chance at a college education “While they
had no choice about coming here, these students have been raised as Americans
with American dreams. They did what was expected of them – stayed out of
trouble, studied hard, got good grades – but are denied the chance to pursue
the colleges or careers they want because of the actions of an adult in their
lives years before.” No child should be denied a proper education not only
because they do not have money, but because they were not born in this country.
If the DREAM Act were passed into law it would mean, “students brought here as
children [would] be eligible for in-state tuition and, after having gone to
college or served in the military, would [be] on a path to legal status.” Not
only would these children be able to have a first rate college education, but
they could also become legal citizens if they chose to.
In
Girls Make Media, Mary Celeste
Kearney discusses the need for girls to learn about technology “As media play
such an influential role in our global society, we believe that if women and
girls are to achieve equality and advancement in today’s world they must be
taught to be media literate” (221). Because colleges focus on making
well-rounded students that are capable of participating in all facets of life,
it would only make sense that girls especially are well taught on all things
media. Kearney goes on to discuss the need for girls’ media education leading
to “one of the small steps they can take in becoming comfortable with
technology, engaging actively with culture, expressing themselves in a new way,
and feeling confident and proud of their accomplishments” (131). If girls start
at an early age learning how to be media literate it would only make sense that
they would be more willing to earn degrees in technology and various media
outlets. But for this to happen cost of tuition would also have decrease in an
effort for all individuals to attend college. Lowering the cost of tuition and
allowing all children to attend college would help in putting girls in
technology and media classes and allow for an equal career field among men.
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