September 23, 2009

contact: Kathleen Hohl, Communications and College Events Director
(414) 297-6208; hohlk@matc.edu

At its September 22, 2009, meeting, the Milwaukee Area Technical College District Board unanimously approved a resolution in support of President Barack Obama's American Graduation Initiative.

The text of the resolution follows:

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE
AMERICAN GRADUATION INITIATIVE

Background
On July 14, 2009, President Obama announced the American Graduation Initiative in which he outlined his plan to reform the country’s community colleges calling for an additional 5 million community college graduates by 2020, and new initiatives to teach Americans the skills they will need to compete with workers from other nations.
President Obama recognized that community colleges are the largest part of America’s higher education system, enrolling more than 6 million students, offering affordable tuition, open admission policies, flexible course schedules, and convenient locations and that they are the key to rebuilding the capacity and competitiveness of the America’s workforce.
To support this initiative $12 billion will be needed over the next ten years to increase the effectiveness and impact of community colleges, raise graduation rates, modernize facilities and create new online learning opportunities.
The cost of this initiative will be paid for through a package that cuts waste out of the student loan program, increases Pell Grant Scholarships and reduces the deficit.

Resolution
WHEREAS, community and technical colleges are the largest and fastest growing sector of higher education in the United States, educating more than 45% of all undergraduate students as well as more than 5 million additional non-credit students; and

WHEREAS, there is a national consensus that the United States needs to provide higher education opportunities to a greater number of its citizens not only as a moral, social and economic imperative but also to ensure our country’s competitiveness in the international marketplace; and

WHEREAS, community and technical colleges need a national focus and increased financial and related support in order to fully realize their potential in helping all Americans reach their educational, career and personal goals; and

WHEREAS, community and technical colleges serve a vital and necessary role in partnering with businesses and industry to train and re-train the workforce of today and into the future through meeting the demands of the marketplace; and

WHEREAS, President Obama’s “America Graduation Initiative” recognizes the centrality of community and technical colleges to America’s well-being, and the need for increased financial resources to help meet the many
needs of its students; and

WHEREAS, President Obama has specifically set the goal of increasing the number of community college graduates by 5 million by 2020, along with ambitious goals concerning postsecondary education; and

WHEREAS, through this initiative President Obama recognizes the increased importance and relevancy of community and technical colleges in raising American’s skills and education levels in order to keep American businesses competitive.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Milwaukee Area Technical College District Board formally endorses the American Graduation Initiative and commits to doing everything it can to promote and achieve its endorsement and meet it objectives.