In her recent State of the University address, Chancellor Nancy Zimpher spoke enthusiastically of the power of distance education to increase college going and completion rates, much in line with President Barack Obama's goal of making sure every American completes at least some college.
Distance education makes a lot of sense. It fits the lives of traditional-age students and older, returning students. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in his budget another round of SUNY 2020 grants that will give priority to plans that use funds for technology-assisted education, including distance education.
The power of distance education cannot be fully realized without a plan to provide affordable high-speed Internet to all New Yorkers, and without a dedicated funding stream.
There are still families, particularly in rural communities, without access to the Internet at speeds needed for distance-education. And, in many areas where it is accessible, high-speed Internet is not affordable for many low-income New Yorkers.
This administration has awarded funds to specified broadband projects that help with local economic development initiatives, but more is needed. Each month, the state collects $1.20 from our cellphone bills. This fund could be tapped to build out Internet in rural areas and to subsidize service for needy families.
We need a dedicated funding stream to bring everyone affordable Internet, to achieve our higher education goals.
Susan E. Beaudoin, Esq., lives in Alplaus. She's a former (acting) deputy assistant secretary for Higher Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education, former general counsel for the state Office for Technology, and a distance education teacher.