CU students weigh in on ASSET bill

A new bill, Advancing Students For A Stronger Economy Tomorrow, dubbed ASSET, has been giving students something to talk about this week on campus. The bill, currently being debated by Colorado lawmakers would grant undocumented students in-state tuition in Colorado public colleges.

PBS journalist Maria Hinojosa will be speaking on campus this afternoon about the bill and how it could help CU students.

“I’ll go listen to what she has to say, but she it will take a lot to convince me this is a good idea,” said Nicolette Reese, a CU senior.

Student Jamie Reitz is a little more optimistic, “Equal opportunity is a little idealistic,” said Reitz. "We’ll see how far it goes.”

From an economic standpoint, Colorado universities, as well as students stand to benefit from the legislation. The bill would allow approximately 900 students to attend state schools,bringing up to an additional $4.2 million a year to higher education institutions in Colorado.

Reese questions these benefits.

“I don’t think an immigrant should get in-state tuition, period,” she said. “It isn’t fair to student who are citizens and have to pay out of state tuition.”

The bill does have certain stipulations. Immigrant students applying for in-state tuition must first attend a Colorado high school for three years and graduate or obtain a GED equivalent. Lawmakers are also emphasizing that in-state tuition is not necessarily free tuition; Students must still pay their own way. They will also not be eligible for the $2,000 Colorado Opportunity funds voucher, which other in-state students receive.

Eleven other states including Utah, Nebraska and Texas already have laws which offer illegal immigrants in-state tuition.