Last Monday, the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education voted unanimously to approve a measure that allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Rhode Island public colleges and universities. The discounted rates will only apply for individuals who attended a state high school for at least three years and graduated with a high school or equivalent GED degree. The decision, which was endorsed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee '75 P'14, has reignited the statewide debate on the treatment of undocumented immigrants.
We applaud the board and its chair, Lorne Adrain, for helping to make higher education accessible for all high school graduates, regardless of citizenship status. In a phone interview with the editorial page board and an op-ed in Sunday's Providence Journal, Adrain explained the board's decision and addressed the complaints of the opposition.
It is imperative to respect and care for undocumented residents, many of whom did not willingly choose to immigrate to the United States in the first place. This policy is an important step in, as Adrain writes, pursuing a policy of openness and equal opportunity for an increasingly marginalized group of people. Rhode Island institutions will undoubtedly benefit from exposing its students, faculty and administrators to people from different cultures, backgrounds and, as Adrain puts it, "different struggles" than their own. This is ultimately a test of our compassion and our willingness to permit undocumented residents the ability to both achieve their individual goals and play a positive and impactful role in the greater Rhode Island and national community.
Opponents decried the decision-making process, saying that no other state has adopted the same policy without its passing the state legislature. But Adrain notes that the board has the explicit authority to make decisions with respect to tuition. Even though this is a high-profile decision, and even though it has implications for the status of undocumented immigrants, it is ultimately a tuition decision. Adrain also noted the 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, in which the court cited the Fifth Amendment and the equal protection clause in the 14th Amendment to strike down a Texas law that allowed districts to withhold local funding to educate illegal immigrants. Therefore, Adrain asserts, states are required to teach undocumented students, regardless of cost.
The board is also on the right side of the economic argument. While critics believe that decreased tuition will decrease revenue for Rhode Island public universities and colleges, the board's internal projections are "cautiously optimistic." With cheaper tuition, the schools are likely to see an increase in demand, which should subsequently boost class size and therefore increase revenue. Further, Adrain points to an obvious systemic point that his critics willfully ignore — educating more state residents will invariably increase the human capital and "earning power" of these individuals. Even if the system sees a small economic loss at the outset — which is unlikely to begin with — Rhode Island is sure to benefit economically from educating more of its residents.
We are heartened and inspired by the board's decision. We hope that making educational opportunities more realizable for undocumented residents will be a boon for both students and the state and that it will set an example of constructive policy for other parts of the country.
Editorials are written by The Herald's editorial page board. Send comments to editorials@browndailyherald.com.
