It is a given that, in many cases, in order for a student to go to college he or she will have to get a loan. It is also a given that tuition costs are rising exponentially year after year. But — those who took out these loans promised to pay them back — they gave their word to do so.

Obviously something needs to be done about the spiraling costs of tuition in our universities, and something must be worked out about the present student loan crisis, which is only getting worse, and perhaps a solution combining the two can be found.

However the fact remains that these legitimate loans — total estimates range as high as $400,000,000,000 — must be paid, and if those who originally agreed to them are freed from their obligation to pay them, who will pay them?

Look in the mirror.

Terence McManus, New Sharon