[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 11 (Thursday, January 24, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S277-S278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MICHIGAN TECH'S TUITION OFFER

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, Michigan Technological University's recent 
decision to offer in State tuition to the children or spouse of anyone 
on active military duty, regardless of their State of residence, 
deserves our recognition and praise.
  We are all deeply indebted to our men and women in uniform for their 
bravery and sacrifice. Michigan Tech is expressing thanks and showing 
support for the families of those serving in our armed services in a 
way that will make a real difference.
  While out-of-State students at Michigan Tech pay over $21,000 for 
tuition, in State tuition is less than $10,000 each year. This savings 
will be available to the families of the 1.3 million men and women who 
are on Active Duty in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, 
National Guard and Reserve, as well as the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and United States Public Health Service 
Corps. We believe that Michigan Tech is the first college or university 
in the Nation to extend in State tuition to the families of all 
military personnel serving on Active Duty.
  The idea developed after an applicant to a State university in 
Michigan received an admission offer but was denied in State tuition 
even though he graduated from a Michigan high school. His father was 
serving on Active Duty and had been stationed in Michigan but was moved 
out-of-State,

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prompting the tuition decision. Michigan Tech's new policy would allow 
this student, along with many others, to receive in State tuition if 
admitted. Hopefully this decision will be followed by other colleges 
and universities as well.
  The university's fight song, ``Fight Tech, Fight!'' includes the 
line: ``From Northern hills we'll sound our cry, we'll ring your 
praises to the sky!'' This is an important decision by Michigan Tech 
that deserves praise and, from the hills of Michigan's upper peninsula, 
it is a decision that will undoubtedly be heard and appreciated by 
military families across the country and our brave men and women 
stationed around the world.

                          ____________________