Schatz Talks Story With UH Students

Senator Encouraged Students to Get Involved in Public Service, Discussed His Plans to Make College More Affordable

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz met with students and faculty from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa for a talk story forum hosted by UH Social Leaders at Manoa (SLAM) on Wednesday.  Senator Schatz encouraged the students to get involved in public service and help make Hawai‘i a better place for future generations. 

“Your opportunity is limited only by your vision,” Senator Schatz told the students. “You get to define what kind of leader you want to be and the way you can make our community a better place.”

The students and Senator Schatz also talked about the rising cost of college and legislation Schatz is introducing in the Senate to make college more affordable and reduce the growing burden that college debt puts on students.

Student debt is the fastest-growing consumer debt in the nation.  The cost of college has increased by 300 percent over the last 30 years.  In Hawaii, in-state tuition for four-year public colleges has doubled since 2006 – one of the steepest tuition increases in the country. 

“The cost of college is one of the biggest middle class issues of our time - no generation escapes the issue,” said Senator Schatz. “Despite the federal government investing more money than ever before in higher education, the cost keeps going up, and in many ways, schools are not held accountable to students and taxpayers.  I am introducing legislation that will help make college more affordable by promoting innovation and empowering students with access to an affordable college education.”

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