Disgusted in Oregon

First, I’d like to point out that I am a recipient of the PL 7-32 scholarship since Fall 1998. In addition to this, I have not only maintained the 3.2 required GPA, but I have exceeded it and am currently in the Oregon State University Honor Roll.

I am writing to voice out my thoughts. In the beginning, this scholarship was established to fully finance my education as well as those of the other recipients. I signed an agreement specifying that my tuition, housing, and other educational expenses will be paid for with this scholarship. To my disappointment, this will no longer be the case for school year 1999-2000.

Up until this moment, I, Eric C. San Nicolas, have kept my end of the bargain, but the government has not.

Back in the year 1994, I was a freshman at Tinian High School. As I entered, I knew of the existence of the 7-32 scholarship. At that moment, I knew that it was my ticket to attending a higher institution of learning.

So for four years I worked extremely hard and came to school every single day with that flame of desire burning inside me, constantly pushing myself to stay on top of things and to persevere. I did this so that at graduation day, all my hard work and sweat will earn me the PL 7-32 scholarship. Because of my desire to succeed and my unending efforts I became a recipient of this full scholarship. “Finally, I was going off to become better educated so that I can contribute to my islands (CNMI)”, I told myself. Unfortunately, the full scholarship that is supposed to pay for my education for four years, as long as I meet the requirements, ended up fully paying for only my first year.

To the Governor, Lt. Governor, and lawmakers, when the 7-32 scholarship was capped to a $15,000 maximum expense per year for each recipient, I was disappointed, saddened, and disgusted. I felt and am feeling this way for two main reasons. The first has to do with retroactivity of the amendment to PL 7-32. The AG’s office indicated that in their opinion, applying this amendment to those recipients prior to Fall 1999 (before the amendment existed) is not unconstitutional. Now, if it is not unconstitutional for me and the other recipients to be affected by a public law, which was passed a year after we’ve signed an agreement with a full scholarship, then I believe you should recall the time when our present governor’s term limit was in question. Back then, if I’m not mistaken, the AG’s office indicated that it was unconstitutional if the governor’s candidacy was made invalid because during his first term in office, the law that limited a governor’s term in office did not exist.

This situation is almost identical with the recipients of PL 7-32 prior to its amendment. When the other recipients and I signed our agreements with the scholarship, the present amendment to cap it did not exist. Therefore, it should also be unconstitutional that we be affected. Also, in accordance with the U.S. Constitution there is such a thing called an ex post facto law that prohibits retroactivity of laws. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the CNMI is obligated to follow such a law.

The second reason that I was saddened disappointed, and disgusted is that, now, I have to work to make ends meet. For example, as a student at Oregon State University I get a nonresident tuition of $3,846 just for a fulltime load. When other fees are added, my total tuition for Fall 1999 adds up to $4,132. This does not include books and supplies and housing. Now, since I will only be getting $5,000 per term, I will only have $868, which will not be able to cover housing and books. This means that I have to work to make ends meet. It is not so much the money that disappoints me, it is the fact that the scholarship has been capped and the GPA requirement remains at 3.2. To make things even more difficult, the GPA requirement will be raised to 3.5 in Fall 2000. You see, I find it difficult to understand how the lawmakers and leaders of the CNMI, expect us students to work and to school full-time and still maintain a 3.2 or 3.5 GPA. I’m not .saying that it is impossible and that it is not good to have high expectations. But we have to analyze this situation realistically. First, the scholarship was capped and then the GPA requirement increased. This puts a lot of pressure on us, the students. It is a guarantee that any student will encounter difficult times, especially when academics fall or drop.

Please take this into consideration.

Lastly, I would like to say this. During political season, education becomes a priority and a hot issue. Why, now, does it seem to be the least? If the CNMI government encourages and desires us to become educated and prepared for the future, then please give us the resources we so deserve and need.

Eric C. San Nicolas
College student
Oregon State University