Khensani Ngubeni (ORU)
Friday, April 16, 2021
House Bill No. ORU-501, presented by House Representative Chapman (ORU), is an act that calls for the reduction of the university tuition of racial minorities by up to 50%. In the first round of the questions, it was already clear that this bill would be a cause célèbre in the House of Representatives. A debate was called, and both the proponency and the opposition presented several arguments to the House.
The opposition highlighted that universities could decrease the admission rate of racial minorities if they had to decrease the tuition by that much. Another argument was that tuition only accounts for a small number of university costs, and universities could increase other fees to make up for the loss of tuition. The central argument in the opposition’s debate was that the bill should have mentioned that the individuals considered for a tuition reduction should be judged based on their household’s income.
Conversely, the proposition presented their argument as reparations. They stated that racial minorities deserved a chance to pursue their dreams, just as much as any other group. The proposition mainly aimed to clarify the language used in the bill, as it was rather vague or confusing.
The House hears many different bills of Representatives daily. Sometimes there are unanimous decisions to pass (or fail) specific bills, but other times the Representatives choose to debate. Debates on bills are held to give that bill a fair chance to either pass or fail; the cause of House Bill No. ORU-501 is no different. Sometimes bills must be amended or reviewed to give them the best chance of success once implemented.
After all the debates and amendments had been heard, most of the House Representatives voted against this bill. Many also expressed that they understood the intent behind the bill.