Pace University President Friedman & Congresswoman Lowey Host Higher Education Roundtable Discussion

November 12, 2013: WHITE PLAINS, NY – Senior Administrators from area Westchester colleges and universities convened on Friday, November 8th to take part in a roundtable discussion co-hosted by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland).  Pace University President Stephen J. Friedman led the discussion at Pace Law School in White Plains which focused on President Obama’s College Affordability Plan introduced in August as well as other areas of interest to higher education administrators such as Federal Financial Aid stability and The College Scorecard. (President Obama’s proposal)     

“I was so pleased to hear directly from experts in our region’s higher education community. Their feedback and perspective is invaluable,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland). “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our higher education leaders to ensure that a quality, affordable college education remains in reach for Lower Hudson Valley families.”

 “I want to thank Congresswoman Lowey for taking a leadership role on this important issue.  More than fifty-percent of our student body receives some form of federal financial aid and institutional aid remains one of our largest expenses. ” said Pace University President Stephen J. Friedman. “Making sure that college remains accessible and affordable for everyone is something of paramount importance to all of us in this room.”

Attendees at the round-table included financial aid and admissions administrators from Long Island University, Westchester Community College, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Manhattanville College, Rockland Community College, Nyack College, SUNY Purchase, Mercy College and Dominican College.

“The intentions behind the President’s proposal are good,” said Robina Schepp, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Pace University. “It is in the implementation and the execution that the challenges arise. One of the unintended consequences might be a loosening of the requirements for graduation. This is the opposite of what the President intends. The Score Card that was rushed out was incomplete. Better information exists. Placements and earnings power information on graduates still is not there.”

Congresswoman Lowey and President Friedman plan to submit comments and concerns from the group at large to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at a meeting in Washington DC to be scheduled soon.