Despite rise in costs, U.S. Universities receive more applications annually

Despite the rising tuition costs in the already beggarly state of the economy, Boston University reached a modern high with an increase of 4,070 student applications over a previous high of 33, 894 for the class of 2012.

The college has seen a steady increase in student population since 2007, exhibiting a nine percent growth to 2010.

According to the Department of Education, while the U.S. ranks seventh in terms of the percentage of students enrolled in college, it ranks fifteenth in terms of the number of degrees actually awarded.

The nationwide college drop-out rate has sparked. Only 54 percent of undergraduates in 1997 in a four-year college came out with a degree six years later. Explanations range from rising tuition costs to insufficient academic advising to students who do not realize the importance of a college degree.

Boston University has seen a steady increase in tuition, raising from about $35,500 in 2007 to roughly $38,500 in 2010.

Boston University junior, Richard Maguire, said although he is subject to multiple student loans, having a college degree is worth it. "I am going to be in a lot of debt when I get out. We'll see if I can afford this school. But, I think with a degree and the benefits that a college education brings, I will be able to get a high-paying job that can help me pay off my loans. Having the title of a college graduate feels like a necessity now in this economy. I would rather be in debt, than only be able to get a job that pays by the hour."

There are 4, 352 colleges, universities, and junior colleges in the United States. Studies have shown that the overall households and demographics with post secondary education are also among those with the highest household income. Thus, while the overall US population is more educated, the link between household wealth and education remains.

This graph illustrates US educational attainment since 1947:


US high-school graduates from families with high incomes are almost certain to continue on the post-secondary education, while just over half of the poorest quarter attend. For low-income students, only 25 percent walk away with a degree.

The percentage of high-school graduates who enroll immediately in post secondary education has increased roughly one percent every year since 2006. In 1973, a college graduate earned 46 percent more per hour than a student with no college education. In 2007, the differential was 77 percent.

According to the Department of Education's Student Aid Overview and Budget Request for 2011, the Federal Government will provide over $160 billion in 2010, through grants, loans, and work- study assistance to help students pay for college.

"I will probably walk out with over a hundred thousand dollars to pay back to the school," Maguire said. "I am investing a lot in this school. I have high expectations for this degree I am getting. I'm hoping the school and I have a mutual relationship: I give them money, and they get me a great job that will give me money."

To view an interactive graph of Boston University's student population since 2007, see below post.


Sources:
collegenavigator.com
http://nces.ed.gov/
Neuharth, Al (1 May 2009). "College Decision Day". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 11A.
http://www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/p20-550.pdf
http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget11/justifications/o-saoverview.pdf
Richard Maguire, rwm9585@gmail.com

Boston University's Student Population since 2007

Click play below to watch!

Ongoing Development in JP

Site Plans for the former Blessed Sacrament Church

Along with ongoing redevelopment plans for Jamaica Plain's foreclosed Fitzgerald parking lot, other plans are surfacing to turn the former Blessed Sacrament Church, located on Creighton St. in Hyde Square, into a community-driven development.

The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation purchased the site and has completed its first project--developing 16 units of affordable condominiums. The JPNDC also plans to build 118 total dwelling units (70 percent affordable and 30 percent at market rate) as well as 141 parking spaces.

"A lot of JP residents have been priced out of their homes. When the JPNDC bought this site, they wanted affordable housing, and that is exactly what they have done with the land. People are happy," JP Neighborhood Coordinator Colleen Keller said.

Stony Brook Cohousing signed a purchase and sale agreement with the JPNDC in January with plans to redevelop the church into 37 condominiums for cohousing, with community space, shared kitchens and dining areas, and playrooms for children. "The idea is for an intentional community and its affordable," Keller said. "Honestly, to me, it seems kind of like a 1960s-commune-kind-of-weird! But if residents are happy, so am I."

"It is just about rethinking JP. A lot of JP residents have been here forever. They know what they want to see developed in this community and they are not afraid to fight for it," Keller said.

Current View of Fitzgerald Parking Lot

Proposed Fitzgerald Lot Sketch

This sketch, designed by Shapero/Mllroy Design, illustrates what the private Fitzgerald parking lot could look like after development.

The design concepts for this lot and others, including the MBTA parking lot next to the station, were discussed by the Forest Hills Improvement Initiative, a program sponsored by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Community take on Foreclosure

As the Fitzgerald parking lot, located across the Forest Hills Station in Jamaica Plain, is set to be out to bid in a foreclosure auction today, many members of the community have mixed emotions.

"Everything is condo-izing," Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Coordinator Colleen Keller said referring to the recent flux of development in JP, specifically Jackson Square and the former Blessed Sacrament church. "I just hope the lot will be in good use. Residents want affordable housing, a youth center or a park. People are moving toward transit-oriented thinking."

However, not all JP residents agree. On the blog Universal Hub, one resident named Whit commented on the matter saying, "Everyone thinks they want 'open space' and a 'park.' But that is the worst thing...I say dense housing and retail with the promise that it will be for various types of people--not just rich people and not just poor people."

Other residents would rather not see the lot go, "Not having that lot there makes it more difficult to just hop in the car and get to a community meeting in time after work, " one blogger commented.

"The lot will hopefully be used to make everyone in this town happy," Keller said. "I personally hope for a mixed-use development, but we will see. If the neighborhood does not like what they see going on with it, they will definitely make it clear."

Forest Hills parking lot in foreclosure auction

A foreclosure auction is being held March 3 for the 2-acre parking lot across from the Forest Hills T Station in Jamaica Plain.

The fate of the property has been the center of discussion for the Jamaica Plain community for the past two years. With a growing demand of affordable housing, the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC) has redevelopment plans known as the Forest Hills Improvement Initiative (FHII) led by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA).

The FHII's first community meeting in 2006 states they wanted the Washington Street parcel

(taking up one-thirds of the parking lot) to be used as "housing that keeps people here." This process includes plans for 135 units of housing.

For the larger Washington Street parcel, the FHII foresaw a "grocery store" or "community youth center."

Local developer and contractor WCI Corps. is currently discussing development plans for two small parcels in the lot that could include a small grocery store. WCI Corps is also proposing commercial and retail building, unlike the FHII guidelines.

While housing development and area traffic remain at the forefront of public concern, Jamaica Plain residents seem to remain open-minded for the lot.

FHII First Community Meeting Notes