Undernews: Germany's figured out the college tuition thing

http://prorevnews.blogspot.com/2014/10/germanys-figured-out-college-tuition.html

Germany's figured out the college tuition thing

Think Progress. Prospective students in the United States who can't afford to pay for college or don't want to rack up tens of thousands in student debt should try their luck in Germany. Higher education is now free throughout the country, even for international students. Yesterday, Lower Saxony became the last of seven German states to abolish tuition fees, which were already extremely low compared to those paid in the United States.

German universities only began charging for tuition in 2006, when the German Constitutional Court ruled that limited fees, combined with loans, were not in conflict the country's commitment to universal education. The measure proved unpopular, however, and German states that had instituted fees began dropping them one by one.

"We got rid of tuition fees because we do not want higher education which depends on the wealth of the parents," Gabrielle Heinen-Kjajic, the minister for science and culture in Lower Saxony, said in a statement. Her words were echoed by many in the German government. "Tuition fees are unjust," said Hamburg's senator for science Dorothee Stapelfeldt. "They discourage young people who do not have a traditional academic family background from taking up study. It is a core task of politics to ensure that young women and men can study with a high quality standard free of charge in Germany."

Compared to American students, Germans barely had to pay for undergraduate study even before tuition fees were abolished. Semester fees averaged around $630 and students were entitled to many perks, such as cheap (often free) transportation within and between cities.

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NO ON 90: Say NO to Selling Oregon to the Highest Bidder

"Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay."

Dear friends, Looks like they're at it again. Oregon's Ballot Measure 90 campaign continues to be inundated with corporate dollars, so that Big Business can take control of our elections. Why does Big Business care about the "Top Two" Primary measure? Because Measure 90 will dramatically change our elections to give big corporations more influence, while limiting voters' choice. Measure 90 was written and funded by big corporations and millionaire CEOs to support their agenda at the expense of working people. Learn more: www.NoOnMeasure90.org The campaign just got another infusion of hundreds of thousands of dollars from its big backers, including a $25,000 check from out-of-state billionaire investment banker David Crane. Crane is an outspoken critic of working people, including supporting the Wisconsin attacks on working families. He's been called California's "chief public employee pension critic" leaving many wondering if he's "just another Kochhead?" Crane's not the only billionaire donating to Measure 90 efforts. One of the biggest funders of Measure 90 is the Association of Oregon Industries (AOI), the far-right business group that acts as the state affiliate of Koch Industries.              Protect Our Vote! Share this image on Facebook  Don't give big corporations and anti-worker billionaires any more control over our elections. Their funders may represent hundreds of millions of dollars, but our coalition represents hundreds of thousands of Oregonians. Help protect our vote and join with the dozens of organizations, alliances, and civic leaders who agree: No on 90. Learn more and get involved: www.NoOnMeasure90.org Only 34 days and so much more work to do! Meghan Moyer Campaign Manager Protect Our Vote: No on 90 LIKE ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW ON TWITTER Protect Our Vote Coalition - info@noonmeasure90.org - 503-239-8029