To the Editor:

I read "Debt Protestors Denounce Colleges for Broken Promises" (The Chronicle, November 27) with great interest and great dismay.

The "Pledge of Refusal" ... what a thought. Maybe we could all just refuse to repay car loans, credit-card loans, house mortgages­—in fact, any loans.

When a student accepts loans, he or she is taking on the great responsibility of repaying those loans. Institutions of higher learning do not guarantee students that they will find jobs or careers of their choice. We provided students the opportunities to pursue their educations.

If students are really concerned about their college debt, they will take a closer look at how the degree programs they have chosen align with the job market's needs; use the loan money to pursue their educations, instead of supplementing their monthly incomes; and perhaps really read all of the loan-counseling documentation before signing anything.

A free education is not what I as a taxpayer and educator want to cover for students who are not responsible. The protestors need to get their "big boy" and "big girl" pants on and pay up.

Irene G. Warren
Student Success Adviser
Sinclair Community College
Dayton, Ohio