To The Editor:
It’s too bad for the former Heald College students who have to start over with their education (“Former Heald students come to ARC,” 9/30/15), but the closure of the private, for-profit trade school is probably for the better. Just like Le Cordon Bleu culinary school, which has been sued for deceptive business practices, these schools are overpriced and load their students with thousands of dollars of unnecessary debt.
A lot of people don’t realize that community colleges are a cheaper and better option. I graduated from college 9 years ago and recently started taking recording and music classes here at ARC. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the education and the facilities, which I think rivals many 4 year colleges at a fraction of the cost.
However, I am concerned for my fellow students who plan on continuing their education beyond ARC. The cost of tuition at Sacramento State has more than doubled in the last 10 years. Factor in the increasing cost of books, rent, transportation, and other living expenses, and it’s no surprise that the average CSUS student leaves school with $18,460 in debt.
That’s why I plan on voting for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary next year. Only Bernie Sanders has a plan to make tuition at public colleges and universities free, funded by a modest tax on Wall Street speculation. While the Republican candidates talk about defunding reproductive health services at Planned Parenthood, Bernie is making concrete proposals to benefit regular working people.
-Phillip Kim
ARC recording and music student
Citrus Heights, CA
