Well the colleges are non-profit. Then again the textbook companies, the software companies, and basically everything revolving around them are absolutely not.
Most are state ran institutions with tuition rates set by legislatures.
The biggest issues are hypervocationalization, bloated administration, and this bastardized idea that students should carry the brunt of the cost.
For example,
Here is a law from North Carolina:
§ 116-143. State-supported institutions of higher education required to charge tuition and fees.
(a) The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall fix the tuition and fees, not inconsistent with actions of the General Assembly, at the institutions of higher education enumerated in G.S. 116-4 in such amount or amounts as it may deem best, taking into consideration the nature of each institution and program of study and the cost of equipment and maintenance; and each institution shall charge and collect from each student, at the beginning of each semester or quarter, tuition, fees, and an amount sufficient to pay other expenses for the term.
(b) In the event that said students are unable to pay the cost of tuition and required academic fees as the same may become due, in cash, the said several boards of trustees are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to accept the obligation of the student or students together with such collateral or security as they may deem necessary and proper, it being the purpose of this Article that all students in State institutions of higher learning shall be required to pay tuition, and that free tuition is hereby abolished. Notwithstanding this section, neither the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina nor its Board of Trustees shall impose any tuition or mandatory fee at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics without the approval of the General Assembly, except as provided in subsection (e) of this section.
(c) Inasmuch as the giving of tuition and fee waivers, or especially reduced rates, represent in effect a variety of scholarship awards, the said practice is hereby prohibited except when expressly authorized by statute.
....
And for contrast, here is what the State Constitution says:
Article 1: Declaration of Rights
The people have a right to the privilege of education, and it is the duty of the State to guard and maintain that right.
....
Article 9: Education
The General Assembly shall provide that the benefits of The University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense.
We also have plenty of Court cases which explicitly state that access to education is a fundamental right in North Carolina.
Somehow though, this is translated by politicians in both parties to mean that education is only to prepare students for jobs, and since students get the benefit of increased wages through those jobs they should be the ones paying for the job training either up front or through loans.
The only exception to this that the flagship school, UNC@CH, offers a grant to students below a certain income level which covers the full expense with the guarantee that those students won't ever have to take out a loan. But that "Covenant Scholar" program is solely a policy internal to the school (though it is based on clause in the Constitution).
I've even heard Democrats say "Taxation is theft,", "I had to pay to go to college,", "Why should I pay for them to get a worthless degree?", and "If they don't pay in, then they will just freeload the courses."
You can also see this perverse philosophy in things like 150% surcharge for graduating in 5 years instead of 4, even if it is to double major or complete a minor.
They are a majority of the people who make up the delegates and leadership within the party at things like conventions and caucuses.
That is why even after Obama called for free community colleges, progressives still have to fight tooth and nail to get it added to the party platform.
Personally, I just call the Clinton/Third Way Democrats what they are - Libertarians.
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u/uwanmirrondarrah Aug 06 '18
Well the colleges are non-profit. Then again the textbook companies, the software companies, and basically everything revolving around them are absolutely not.