Student Government News…
Dear Students,
As Vice President of the Student Government Association, it is my duty to communicate with students on all issues, especially those issues deemed important to all students. I don’t know an issue that is more important than an impending midyear tuition increase. This type of increase has never happened before. It is important for us to know the facts behind this devastating circumstance.
The Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia have been the target of $382 million in budget cuts since November 200l. The trend of cutting the budget for higher education continues today. Because of a mismanagement of money at the state level, The Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia have been asked to make more cuts. Of the state’s $179 million gap in the budget, higher education, a.k.a. the University System of Georgia, has been asked to make up $68 million. In finding a way to come up with the $68 million in budget cuts, the Board of Regents has been forced into a situation where they will have to ask for an increase in tuition.
You may think this issue doesn’t directly affect you because of safety nets such as the HOPE scholarship, which is true. However, I’m asking you to consider how this affects all students. Not every student attending Georgia College & State University has the HOPE scholarship, and those students could be forced to leave school this January. Also, I would urge you to think about future students all around the state. If this trend continues and the University System endures more cut backs, then the Board of Regents will have to continue to raise tuition. In dealing with those cutbacks, eventually HOPE will be forced to discontinue its support for students seeking higher education.
Another key point to consider is, while certain types of financial aid are elastic (HOPE), other forms of financial aid do not increase to meet tuition costs. Those students that receive loans, fixed scholarships and The Pell Grant may be forced to make up the difference of tuition or not come to school at all. This fact has a major impact on the international students and non-traditional students who pay tuition out of their own pocket. I find myself wondering how they will be able to cover the costs of the midyear increase in tuition. It is easy to see that this issue affects the majority of students at Georgia College & State University.
The inexcusable mismanagement of money at the state level has affected more than just Georgia College & State University. Students at all the public Universities in Georgia have to deal with the inequities of the midyear tuition increase. This means that about 250,000 students in the state are bracing for a hike in the cost of tuition coming January 2005. However, I am here to inform students at Georgia College & State University that we don’t have to just accept this backlash from the Georgia Legislature. We do have a voice!
The Student Government Associations of Georgia have a plan. There is a monumental opportunity at work. We can show the State that we aren’t the blank check to pay for the system’s cuts. This petition is the channel for change!
The petitions will be presented to classes, taken to student organizations, and passed around in Sodexho. We encourage all student organizations and individuals to participate by picking up a copy of the petition located in the Student Government Association office in MSU 129-C. It crucial for students to realize this issue is not strictly a Student Government Association issue. To culminate this effort, there will be a March on the Capitol on October 8th. The details will be coming out to everyone as soon as we know. Look for a bobcat email giving all the details very soon.
We appreciate your support and your interest.
Adam Edge
Vice President
Student Government Association
student.government@gcsu.edu
MSU 129-C (478) 445-2795
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 1 2004. Filed under News.
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