Smoke Signals September 1994 Page 9
I Education
College education
becomes mean, lean
According to a recent Statesman Journal article, the "outlook for
higher education will become lean and mean." Because of increased
costs, decreases in programs and enrollment schools are changing.
Some have a new ceiling on how many students they will admit, and
some programs and faculty have been reduced.
"Figures from the College Board show tuition and fee increases at both
public and private schools . . . (are) beset by continuing erosion of state
tax support, increased tuition and fees by 14 percent in 1991-92, and 11
percent in 1992-93."
"The bottom line is that the national average cost to attend a private
college cost $ 1 7,846 for tuition room and board, books and transportation
compared to $8,562 at a four-year public school."
The changes have had an impact on students completing four-year
undergraduate degree requirements.
"Taking more than four years to complete a college education is
increasingly common. At Oregon State University, an estimated two
thirds of students take longer than four years to graduate. Big tuition
increases at state schools are one reason many students are taking longer
to graduate. Since 1990, tuition has more than doubled at state colleges
and universities."
This means many students have to work to help with their expenses.
"Very few students can come to campus and not have to work."
As stated in previous Smoke Signals articles, the Tribal Education
Division's Higher Education and Adult Vocational Training Programs
have sustained adjustments in the number of grants and scholarships we
can provide.
We have had to place a ceiling on grants and scholarships awards sizes.
To address changes in the Education Trust Fund Scholarship Program,
we have had to eliminate certain budget items to adjust for the 1994-95
school year college costs and enrollment.
The impact on the Tribal Education Division means that students have
to make a choice of going to a public instead of a private school because
of higher costs.
Another factor is students staying in school longer than four years to
complete their degree. Currently, the Tribe can allow up to 15 quarters,
or terms, or 10 semesters to complete a bachelor degree program.
If students have not completed their undergraduate programs within 15
quarters, or 10 semesters, funding will be discontinued.
No longer can students attended college to take advantage of financial
assistance. We are facing the need for more advance planning and
preparation for college as early as middle and junior high school.
The Education Division has established a partnership with Chemeketa
Community College for increased outreach. In the 1994-95 school year,
the college will host workshops for students and parents to address college
funding, academicpreparation, scholarship and grant application, financial
aid preparation and career awareness:
As we move into 1995, it is imperative that students share in the costs
of their education. The Tribe alone cannot afford 100 percent of the cost
for a higher education. Students must apply for financial aid. They must
also look for institutional and private scholarships.
Most important, students must work towards completing their degree
programs on time.
1980 I 1985 I 1989 I 1993 I 1994
University of $858 $1,440 $1,782 $2,916 $3,258
Oregon
Western $841 $1,390 $1,686 $2,637 $2,820
Oregon State
Oregon State $846 $1,410 $1,707 $2,877 $3,048
Willamette $3,705 $6,350 $9,100 $13,575 $14,080
University
Pre-schooi Natural Resources
classes to begin
rteSin0ppiS!Lgfo?lCs Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge
SSS:Sr, pact signed by federal officials
27th. Pre-school hours are 1:30-5 A comprehensive management plan for the Hart Mountain National
p.m., (after Head Start). Children Antelope Refuge in Lake County, Oregon has been approved.
3-5 years old are eligible to Michael J. Spear, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region
participate in the program, director, signed the decision Aug. 3.
Applications can be obtained The plans is aimed at restoring fish and wildlife habitats so that all
through the Education Department native species on the refuge will survive,
or by contacting CeCe Kneeland at The plan specifies use of prescribed burning to restore upland habitats
879-2278. and restoration of streamside area.
Theressa Olson has been the pre- Livestock grazing will not be allowed, since it would not contribute to
school teacher for two years, since fish and wildlife habitat restoration.
the program began. Grazing by domestic animals, beyond that which occurs naturally by
"Each year the program has deer and pronghorn, can be detrimental to some plans and ecological
grown and I am looking forward to systems, federal officials said.
working with the children again Federal staff members, and money, previously used to manage the
this year," she said. grazing program, will now be directed at habitat restoration.
Tribal parents who qualify may
ESSS-TEM Endangered species recovering
parents who do not qualify for
assistance may still be eligible for Nearly 40 percent of plants and animals protected under the federal
entranceintomeprogrambypaying Endangered Species Act are not stable or improving.
the full tuition fee on $2 1 per week. A reP01 t0 Congress prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said
The program includesa full range 10 Percent of the species were found to be improving and 28 percent
of learning experiences such as were considered stable as a direct result of recovery efforts,
crafts, Chinook Jargon lessons, " We are making significant progress toward restoring endangered
hand and feet activities, music, 81,(1 threatened species," Mollie Beattie, Fish and Wildlife Service
outside activities, and educational director, said. "All 7 1 1 species were declining when listed ... A success
field trips. Children are provided a rate of nearly 40 percent in only 20 years is remarkable."
healthy snack and rest time each Recovery achievements include the Aleutian Canada goose which was
day. reclassified from endangered to threatened in 1990.
This program began with a vision The California condor and the black-footed ferret, once extinct in the
to help Native American children li ve n reintroduced.
get quality care in a learning The rald eagle and Arctic and American peregrine falcons have also
environment, We hope toexpand it responded to recovery efforts,
this year to include more children.
Congratulations Early migratory bird
to student u j
'f-i hunting seasons proposed
After making a successful recovery after a decade of protection, the
? cackling Canada geese may be hunted again.
1 f The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing limited hunting of the
- IV., - species in its 1994 migratory bird hunting season. The service would
';V,V' "Wi allow a bag limit of one cackling Canada goose.
ijlJtS- The population has increased from 26,000 birds in 1984 to a current
: .. level of 164,000.
7 "A 4r - Service sources said that the recovery was the result of the combined
' -1 i 1 conservation efforts of state wildlife agencies and hunters in Alaska,
s isfc Washington, CrcgonandCaliforma,alongwitJithe(ifornia Waterfowl
Association and the waterfowl conservation committee of the Association
of Village Council Presidents, representing Native American interests in
, ,,,! r- j the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
Tracy Cooney The cackling Canada goose, the smallest subspecies of Canada geese,
breeds in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska. The birds
On August 5th, Ms. Tracy Colleen winter mainly in the Central Valley of California, and migrate through
Cooney graduated from the Oregon and northern California.
University of Portland with a The bird is slightly larger than a mallard, and is known for its cackling
Bachelor of Arts degree in cry, rather than honking.
Education. Ms. Cooney began her
educational journey by attending
Portland State University and HUNTERS: If you applied for deer or elk tags
eventually transferring to the through the Fish and Wildlife Department, your
fSXZSXt name maV have been drawn. To find out the
She thanked the Tribe and the seasons and dates, look for an award letter in
Education Division for all the the mail, or call the Grand Ronde Tribal Offices
support. Congratulations Tracy, a
youVe made us proud. 1-800422-0232.