TN senators may make 14 credit hours full-time
By: Erica Horton
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: News
The meaning of being enrolled as a full-time college student could change in 2011 if a bill sponsored by Tennessee Senators Jamie Woodson and Joe McCord is approved.
The senators proposed Senate Bill 3128, which will require students to take a minimum of 14 credit hours instead of 12 to qualify as full-time. If passed, the bill will take effect July 1, 2011.
The University of Memphis Student Government Association met last night to discuss legislation condemning the bill. Though some SGA senators were for the legislation, most opposed it, saying it was more likely to help students than harm them.
SGA senator and presidential hopeful Hunter Lang, who wrote the SGA legislation in favor of opposing the bill, said Woodson's proposal would raise tuition.
"The thing about increasing full time status from 12 to 14 hours is that the average class counts for three hours. So, it's a backwards tricky way of saying its really 12 to 15 hours," he said. "Now you're forcing the average student to take more hours, which is obviously going to increase drop out rates, and it's going to make college students pay more. When are the budgetary burdens of the education system going to stop being taken out on us?"
SGA senators opposing the bill argued that increased hours could help with the current tuition cap, which is 12 hours. They said an increased minimum for full-time students would allow students to take more classes at the price they're currently paying.
SGA Sen. Antonias Hawkins said he would like to hear more students'opinions about the matter before SGA passes a bill supporting or opposing legislation for the hours.
"We need to hear what (students) want," he said. "There were only 20 people here tonight. We need to make sure we are voicing (students') opinions correctly," he said.
A representative from Woodson's office said that no action has been taken on the bill since Feb. 4 when it was assigned to the higher education subcommittee.
The bill would affect both public and community colleges and could interfere with Hope Lottery Scholarships, since many freshmen take the base minimum for full-time status to keep their financial aid, oppenents said.
By taking the minimum requirements, students delay the frequency their hours are checked for renewal of the hope award, which is reviewed after every 24 hours of enrollment.
Dean of Students Bill Porter said the increased hours could help students graduate earlier.
"If that's the best way to do it or not, I don't know," he said.
The senators proposed Senate Bill 3128, which will require students to take a minimum of 14 credit hours instead of 12 to qualify as full-time. If passed, the bill will take effect July 1, 2011.
The University of Memphis Student Government Association met last night to discuss legislation condemning the bill. Though some SGA senators were for the legislation, most opposed it, saying it was more likely to help students than harm them.
SGA senator and presidential hopeful Hunter Lang, who wrote the SGA legislation in favor of opposing the bill, said Woodson's proposal would raise tuition.
"The thing about increasing full time status from 12 to 14 hours is that the average class counts for three hours. So, it's a backwards tricky way of saying its really 12 to 15 hours," he said. "Now you're forcing the average student to take more hours, which is obviously going to increase drop out rates, and it's going to make college students pay more. When are the budgetary burdens of the education system going to stop being taken out on us?"
SGA senators opposing the bill argued that increased hours could help with the current tuition cap, which is 12 hours. They said an increased minimum for full-time students would allow students to take more classes at the price they're currently paying.
SGA Sen. Antonias Hawkins said he would like to hear more students'opinions about the matter before SGA passes a bill supporting or opposing legislation for the hours.
"We need to hear what (students) want," he said. "There were only 20 people here tonight. We need to make sure we are voicing (students') opinions correctly," he said.
A representative from Woodson's office said that no action has been taken on the bill since Feb. 4 when it was assigned to the higher education subcommittee.
The bill would affect both public and community colleges and could interfere with Hope Lottery Scholarships, since many freshmen take the base minimum for full-time status to keep their financial aid, oppenents said.
By taking the minimum requirements, students delay the frequency their hours are checked for renewal of the hope award, which is reviewed after every 24 hours of enrollment.
Dean of Students Bill Porter said the increased hours could help students graduate earlier.
"If that's the best way to do it or not, I don't know," he said.