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In what is being described by Dominica\u2019s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit as a commitment to higher education for students, the government of Dominica is making good on its pledge to Dominican students in the United States of America (USA) by paying outstanding debts to two universities.<\/p>\n
In respective letters sent to enrolled Dominican students, Midwestern State University (MSU) and Grambling State University (GSU) noted that they have exhibited patience and understanding to the government of Dominica in the face of financial challenges brought about by external factors such as the pandemic and natural disasters. However, the mounting unpaid balances, totalling millions of dollars owed have reached a point where the universities can no longer sustain the financial strain.<\/p>\n
Dr. Edwin Litolff, Vice President for Finance of GSU, revealed that the government of Dominica has accumulated a balance of over USD $3.1 million. Consequently, the university issued an ultimatum to the government of Dominica, providing them with a “last opportunity for payment.”<\/p>\n
If payment is not received, Dominican students will be barred from registering for classes or residing on campus for the Spring Semester 2024. Days later, another letter surfaced this time from MSU\u2019s Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Beth Reissenweber, and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs and Chief Strategy Office, Dr. Keith Lamb, in which MSU stated that all Dominican students will be required to individually comply with the standard payment terms in place for MSU students.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny balance owed on your student account, including balances that the Commonwealth of Dominica had promised to pay, must be paid in full before you will be able to register for the Spring 2024 semester. This will include fall 2023 charges. Additionally, any student with a past due government and\/or student balance will be unable to receive a transcript upon graduation, in accordance with MSU policy,\u201d the letter stated.<\/p>\n
However, amid growing concerns, Prime Minister Skerrit during a press conference, disclosed, “We have started paying for the students’ studies overseas. We’re sending a million US dollars to Grambling to pay for the students and we’ll be sending half a million dollars to Midwestern so we’re paying down on our debt to students.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond the financial aspect, Skerrit noted the government’s engagement with the affected students. Whilst acknowledging the concerns expressed by both students and parents, Skerrit emphasized the importance of exhibiting self-control and discipline when addressing challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand the students’ and parents\u2019 anxiety so sometimes the comments they make I don’t really take it personal,\u201d the Prime Minister posited. \u201cBut all I am saying is that, we are people who are going to go into the workplace, we have to display a level of self-control and discipline and not go into emotional outbursts.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued, \u201cthe same way you can criticize we not paying is the same way you can post when you graduate and you walk with your high heels and all fees paid you have no loan, you should post the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister averred that his government\u2019s discreet but substantial financial investment in education reflects their dedication to creating a robust educational framework that equips Dominicans for success.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is, we have opened doors for thousands of young Dominicans and this is unprecedented in our history,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In what is being described by Dominica\u2019s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit as a commitment to higher education for students, the government of Dominica is making good on its pledge to Dominican students in the United States of America (USA) by…","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":306883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[320,16,286,77,235,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-307551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-charitable-activity-or-foundation","category-educationyouth","category-governance","category-homepage","category-homepage-carousel","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n