Portland Press Herald , May 2, 2007
Editorial: Community colleges deserve money to grow
It's difficult to dispute that a college education is a key component to success, both financially and personally. There are exceptions, of course -- Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard, but he had a pretty compelling new venture called Microsoft that he wanted to get started well before he graduated.
For the rest of us, however, a college degree is practically a must. In Maine, the issue is particularly germane on two counts. First: The state has not kept pace with other New England states in sending its high-school graduates off to college. The second point is a good news/bad news issue.
Several years ago, the state changed its technical-college system to one comprising community colleges. That inspiration has borne ample fruit, as applications to Maine community colleges are booming. The numbers are pretty impressive: a 47 percent rise in four years.
The bad news, however, is that the applications spike has not been accompanied by a commensurate increase in funding to build the facilities and hire the educators so that more Maine students can earn a degree.
The solution is to throw money at the problem. Cautious state spending is typically the best advice, but not in this case. If Maine does not find a way to put more money into its community colleges, it will most certainly be missing opportunity.
For example, Southern Maine Community College in South Portland could not accept 1,550 applicants to its health sciences and other technical programs this year.
Some of those turned down elected to take general studies courses in the interim, but a number of others chose to walk away. That means opportunities lost for those students, but just as important, opportunity lost for Maine.
Why? Because community colleges have proved to be especially effective in advancing graduates into careers. Right now, the most popular community college programs include the fields of nursing, automotive technology and heating and ventilation. All three of those programs -- especially nursing -- provide ready access to job markets that are clamoring for highly trained professionals.
Maine's lawmakers will be considering a funding bill from Rep. Lawrence Bliss, D-South Portland, to increase the community college budget by $15 million over two years.
Opportunity is banging at the door, and has for several years. Maine should now find a way to answer.