The Referendum Petition, Question 4, is a very controversial
subject in Maryland during the 2012 election. Question 4 explains that undocumented
immigrants are allowed to pay in-state tuition rates at community colleges and
four year universities in Maryland if they meet certain conditions and graduate
from a Maryland high school. If the undocumented individual meets all of the
requirements above then the person is eligible to attend a four year public
college or any Maryland university and pay in-state tuition. Frostburg State
University located in Frostburg, Md, has a very diverse opinion concerning this major question in the
current election.
The campus was buzzing with the energy of students,
faculty, and visitors who had just voted. Every voter received an “I voted”
sticker that displayed their latest accomplishment. Many students and faculty
members explained that they voted “yes” for Question 4. Jessi Wiser, a senior
at Frostburg State University and mass communication major, stated “I voted yes
because in order for that to work they must go to high school and show they are
able to meet the requirements to attend a college in Maryland." In addition Amy
Fynes, a Student Activities Coordinator at Frostburg State University,
explained “I feel like education is a privilege especially for a child whose
parents aren’t from the U.S. These children should be allowed that right to a
higher education, and American students take that for granted." However some
students did not feel the same way about Question 4. Jenae Herkins, a junior
and Early Childhood education major at Frostburg State University, stated “I
would have to say no to Question 4 because it’s so hard now with tuition and it’s
a pricey thing and I know they get high school education for free already. I
think it should be reserved for Maryland student only, and I didn’t like that
if you change the law that it would take veterans longer to get in-state tuition
when they are putting their life on the line for everyone in the U.S.”
With such a controversy on the Question 4 the results will
be very intriguing because apparently there is more to the question then just letting
un-documented individuals receiving higher education for free. The outcome will
be sure to change Maryland education forever.
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