As politicians such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez continue pushing for free education, their Republican counterparts have likewise continued arguing that such a system would be incredibly ineffective. Free college might sound like a phenomenal idea but the fact of reality is that nothing is ever free, nor will it ever be. “Free” college would not only drain the average taxpayer but it would also rid institutions of resources necessary to create the brightest and most educated young Americans. The University of Hartford’s 2019 Deed’s Symposium will take place this Thursday, March 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the Wilde Auditorium. There, PhD economist Beth Akers will discuss free-market principles and present a case against free college. Akers is an expert on the economics of education, with a focus on higher-education policy and is currently a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. This program is open and free to the public and a reception will take place at 4:30 p.m., an hour before the lecture is scheduled to commence. This event is open to the public, but online registration is encouraged at hartford.edu/deedslecture.