Aurora Sentinel Endorses Monisha Merchant

Aurora Sentinel: Clemmons and Merchant for CU Board of Regents

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As the state's largest network of public higher education facilities, the races for the University of Colorado Board of Regents this year carry high importance for current students and prospective students to Colorado's oldest university.

It's with this in mind that we endorse A.J. Clemmons as Regent to the University of Colorado - Congressional District 6 seat, and Monisha Merchant as Regent to the University of Colorado - Congressional District 7 seat.

Both candidates have a long list of innovative ideas that would

enhance the CU system long beyond their six-year terms on the board.

Clemmons, a Greenwood Village native, has laid out specific priorities she plans to carry to the board during her term, not the least of which is to help make higher education less expensive.

Most parents and current college students agree that a four-year education at the University of Colorado is financially skyrocketing toward unaffordable. Clemmons has a good start to help corral the costs by offering more online classes to working adults or people who can't afford to commute to the Boulder or Downtown Denver campuses — something we'd like the board to explore in the future for many working students in the Aurora area. Merchant similarly has said that she would like to reduce the cost of education.

Merchant has also said that she would push CU toward partnering with businesses worldwide to expose students to the increasingly borderless global economy that we find ourselves in today. And Clemmons has echoed this as well in her platform for an expanded study abroad program.

CU students and, more importantly, Aurora businesses can greatly benefit from having a workforce that is globally diverse and educated beyond our shores.

Current Regent Pat Hayes was a steady hand during a turbulent era marked by Ward Churchill and outgoing — and incoming — university presidents. We applaud Hayes for her service, but feel that the board needs a new direction to serve as guardians and policy makers for the student body, not the school's image.

We believe that Clemmons and Merchant represent that needed new era in CU policy making.

Vote for A.J Clemmons as Regent to the University of Colorado - Congressional District 6, and Monisha Merchant as Regent to the University of Colorado - Congressional District 7.