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UF reacts to Pres. Obama’s annual State of the Union

<p>Amir Avin, 20, Jenna Goldman, 21, Joe Andreoli, 23, and Christina Marshall, 19, all UF students, watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address in Murphree Commons at the College Democrats' watch party Tuesday night.</p>

Amir Avin, 20, Jenna Goldman, 21, Joe Andreoli, 23, and Christina Marshall, 19, all UF students, watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address in Murphree Commons at the College Democrats' watch party Tuesday night.

President Barack Obama suggested ways to expand educational opportunities and make education more affordable during his annual State of the Union address Tuesday night in Washington, D.C.

“We are 15 years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores; that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars; that saw a vicious recession spread across our nation and the world. It has been, and still is, a hard time for many. But tonight, we turn the page,” he said.

The speech addressed a few issues related to college students.

The president expanded on his earlier proposal to make two years of community college free for students in good academic standing. 

He said this would reduce the cost of a four-year education and improve the quality of community college, which enrolls nearly 40 percent of all undergraduates.

The president also spoke about his education tax-reform plan, which would cut taxes for 8.5 million families and students as well as provide students working toward a college degree with up to $2,500 of assistance each year for five years.

Obama also suggested innovating secondary education. He plans to launch next-generation high schools with cutting-edge laboratories and science, technology, engineering and mathematics curricula. 

He said he also plans to focus on preparing more women and students of color for roles in these fields.

In Gainesville, the UF College Democrats piled on couches at Murphree Hall Area Commons as the president addressed the nation. Phones in hand, they sent out text messages and softly clapped in between sentences.

“I think the president did a really good job of focusing on the issues that Americans care the most about — the issues democrats have fought for for the past six years,” said Amir Avin, UF College Democrats president.

The 20-year-old UF finance junior said he is happy Obama is prioritizing issues that mean a lot to everyday Americans, like the environment and education.

“We’re hopeful that the president and the Republican Congress meet halfway to pass through legislation that will offer some relief to American families who need it the most,” he said.

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UF College of Republicans chairwoman Kailyn Allen, 20, said she did not watch the address with other members of the organization. 

However, she said she saw their reactions on social media — and they weren’t happy.

“President Obama is a fantastic orator who is proposing horrible policies,” the political science sophomore wrote in an email.

Allen said Obama’s policies are not free and will have a negative impact, despite what he stated in his address.

“‘Free healthcare’ and ‘free college’ does not appear out of thin air,” she said. “They will cost a lot of money and our generation will be the ones who have to pay for it.”

[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 1/21/2015 under the headline “UF reacts to Pres. Obama’s annual State of the Union"]

Amir Avin, 20, Jenna Goldman, 21, Joe Andreoli, 23, and Christina Marshall, 19, all UF students, watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address in Murphree Commons at the College Democrats' watch party Tuesday night.

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