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Published Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in Local
Students protest university funding cut at Atlanta rally
From STAFF and WIRE REPORTS
news@newnan.com
Students from across Georgia gathered at the State Capitol in Atlanta on Monday to protest proposed cuts to the University System of Georgia and a possible tuition increase.
Morris News Service reported there were two groups of students in Atlanta -- with somewhat divergent messages. Presidents of student government groups from universities wore business attire, asked that any tuition increase be kept small and met with legislators.
The other group of students -- most wearing jeans -- chanted messages with a bullhorn and held homemade signs with slogans like "raise h---, not tuition."
"We're not against a tuition increase," said Katie Barlow, student government president at the University of Georgia, standing inside the lobby of the Capitol. "Our tuition is low compared to our peer and aspirational institutions."
Members of the blue jean group called for an increase in income taxes for those earning more than $400,000 annually. Both groups agreed on a proposal for a $1-per-pack increase in cigarette taxes and in their opposition to increases in student fees, which are not covered by the HOPE Scholarship.
Associated Press reported the cigarette tax and the tax on high incomes are both unlikely in the GOP-led state Legislature, where many leaders have pledged to balance the state's budget without raising taxes.
Georgia's budget is staggering from 15 months of declining revenues. Gov. Sonny Perdue last week announced a new round of cuts after the latest revenue figures showed continued decline.
"Education is the last thing that should be cut," Will Avery, a graduate student at the Carrollton-based University of West Georgia, told AP. Avery has been vocal about the issue. During the weekend, three buses were reserved to transport students from West Georgia to the Atlanta rally.
West Georgia's main campus is in Carrollton. A satellite program is located at UWG's Newnan Center in Shenandoah Industrial Park.
"Raising taxes is better in some respects," Stuy Lewis, a student at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, told Morris News Service. "If we raise taxes, then everybody pays -- people who are going to school and people who are not going to school. The goal would be to get as many people a higher education as we possibly can."
After their rally, the jean-wearing students paraded to a nearby park to chant some more. The suit-wearing students, heads of the student governments at about half the 35 public colleges in Georgia, prepared for an afternoon meeting with House Speaker David Ralston and to sit in on a meeting of the House Appropriations Committee that writes the House version of the budget.
"We want a seat at the table," Barlow said.
The two groups totaled "a few hundred," according to Associated Press.
The state's 35 colleges and universities had already been facing about $265 million in cuts for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Perdue has proposed moving $113 million in federal stimulus dollars forward into the current fiscal year, meaning colleges are facing another $113 million hole for the next fiscal year.
The cuts to the universities will also be offset some by $124 million in formula funding to deal with student enrollment growth.
Students argued that with the economy sputtering, education is more vital than ever.
"This is our future," Ryan Jones, a student at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, told AP. "If we can't afford to go to college, where is the next generation of leaders, where are they going to come from?"
Other students suggested that lawmakers who OK steep cuts to higher education will feel the wrath of voters at the ballot box. State legislators are set to take up the revised budget proposal this week and could make substantial changes to Perdue's proposal.
Ultimately the Board of Regents will decide whether tuition hikes, layoffs or furloughs are needed to meet the budget figure set by lawmakers.
John Millsaps, a spokesman for the university system, said the Board of Regents would meet after lawmakers wrap up their session -- likely sometime in April -- to determine what to do.
Cowetans shared information about an Internet petition opposing the university cuts. The online petition effort started March 2 and ended Monday. Georgia Democrats also mounted a petition drive opposing the cuts.
In an interview last week, Jill Whitley, a nursing student from Newnan at Clayton State University in Morrow, reflected on the longterm societal cost of making it harder for people to get a college degree.
"In 20 years, I think we as a society will be sorry we chose to make cuts here as opposed to in other sectors," she said.
Comment On This Story
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I do quote facts not the lieing liberal so called facts that you attempt to quote.
Posted by Joe Cool at 4:32 PM
comment Ha HA tabless Leg. So anyhoo no a political position isnt bad but lying is. I still think that its funny that you dont know what a citation is and you cant quote facts.
Posted by Lg at 3:59 PM
This will be my last comment not less Lg makes a comment.
I really do hope you are able to finish your degree and best of luck.
Posted by Joe Cool at 3:33 AM
So now you are saying you can't be a Christian and debate someone? Just because someone doesn't agree with your leftfield liberal theology doesn't make them a non Christian.
Posted by Joe Cool at 12:05 AM
I feel that whether or not I have to take out student loans in addition to scholarships is irrelevant to this discussion. That doesn't mean I can't afford it or that it's too good for me, I just have to spend extra for the education I want. I wasn't debating simply to defend my own education, though; this new policy will affect public schools much more than it will Mercer (let's hope). I posted a response several days ago, but the moderator didn't let it pass, I think. The point is that cutting teacher pay, forcing furlough days, cutting entire departments from public universities/colleges, in addition to cutting state funding for higher education is just bad news for everyone- not just students.
Posted by MU student at 11:46 PM
What do you draw from that conclusion. You are tabless.
Posted by Lg at 11:17 PM
First off I did not back down from anything. The student is going to a private school that obviusly she cannot afford. But your to ignorant to realize it. Let know of anything else you would like to debate. Like I said I notice you did not get involved in the debate.
Posted by Joe Cool at 2:09 PM
Debate what you dont have a position. MU student held your rhetoric up to the light and you backed down and then started attacking my nationality with unfounded accusations. Next you will be on here talking about how christian you are.
Posted by Lg at 12:10 PM
No the last commet was for you. I made my point. I notice you didnt get into the debate.
Posted by Joe Cool at 12:36 PM
Joe wants to change the subject
Posted by Lg at 2:15 AM
My last comment was not for you. I accidently put that comment on here by mistake.
Posted by Joe Cool at 12:06 AM
No you let losser networks like that tell you all what to think or your messiah obama who doesnt seem to be doing very well either.
Posted by Joe Cool at 6:56 PM
I see allot of your problem is going to a private school that you cannot afford. If a person wants an education they can get one. I have seen to many poor people work there way through college without gov help. Like Joe said some joined the military for the education benefits.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 3:52 AM
You are the clown. Now I know why you want gov help for everything. You said in another post english is not your first language. Thats why you want gov help because you cannot make it life. Had to have the gov to help you when you came across the border.
Posted by Joe Cool at 11:54 PM
What's being cut affects school's abilities to offer academic scholarships. Since Mercer is private, the HOPE doesn't really do much for me, and in January they cut an equalization grant, making tuition even more expensive. Cutting the engineering grant hurts not only the students but the engineering school, Mercer, and state, as well. With tuition so expensive already, anything helps. I know that with public institutions it's different, but cutting programs at the undergrad and graduate levels puts more pressure on the schools to retain students, not to mention forces professors out of their jobs. Poor is poor and a parent's poor budgeting shouldn't have to hurt their child's chance at higher education. Last, I'm not whining, I'm debating, and I DO work a job.
Posted by MU student at 8:15 PM
You are doing one hell of a job debating this clown.
Posted by Lg at 2:37 PM
I never said I was againist low interest loans or academic sholarships from the college. I am saying why should the gov outright pay for someones education with no strings attached, like serving a hitch in the military etc.
What do you consider poor? This nation is the only country in the world that poor people have cell phones. I had relatives who worked up on fulton county school system. Just about everyone up there is on gov lunches but yet they pull out a 20 dollar bill to pay for ice cream and wear expensive designer clothes and get picked up by there parent or parents driving a expensive suv.
You have gotten honest anwsers. My wife went to school on low interest loans (there was no such thing as the hope) while working 3 partime jobs. Then worked on her masters while working fulltime. The time you spend on here whining could be time spent working a partime job.
Posted by Joe Cool at 9:52 AM
I do hope your daughter is able to finish her education. There are things that could be cut besides education. I personally think its insulting when athletes that can hardly spell there name recieve a free education.I also heard cheerleaders recieve scholarships. I apologize if you feel I insulted your military service.
Posted by Joe Cool at 5:27 AM
I'm guessing that someone with a college education is less likely to go to prison than someone uneducated, especially if he/she dropped out of high school. Sure, an education doesn't guarantee that someone will stay out of trouble, but it seems more likely. You're missing the overall point, though, and keep nit-picking everyone else's arguments. I'm only interested in knowing why you're so against government funding for education (other than viewing all of "us" as lazy kids who aren't willing to work for anything), not personal attacks on other posters. If someone poor but brilliant wants an education, shouldn't he/she be able to go to college, even if it's with loans and scholarships? How much potential would be wasted if these things were unavailable? I would appreciate honest answers, not you insulting me because of my age and what you assume are my political/social views. We're all adults here; there's no need for your snarky comments to others' posts.
Posted by MU student at 1:56 AM
Now your saying a college education will keep a person out of prison. WOw you have allot to learn about life.
Posted by Joe Cool at 9:20 PM
You didnt hit a nerve with me. You are the one that acted like it was an insult to serve in the military. Also I am not bitter I have my degree.
Posted by Joe Cool at 9:19 PM
I don't understand why everything has to go back to politics, name-calling, and insults. The point is that ANYONE who wants to go to college should be able to go. This means lowering the cost of tuition or keeping the same loan, grant, and scholarship programs, if not adding more. Sorry to anyone who's bitter about not being able to afford it, but name-calling and complaining about us young whippersnappers whining about the government making paying for education harder just makes you come off as irrelevant and cynical. Students who are serious about their education work hard for it, whether thats on classwork or in a "real" job, and we're better for it. There is nothing lazy about making top grades and working a part time job. We're doing a service to the country by not being bums, thugs, and drug dealers. Fill the colleges or fill the prisons even more- your choice.
Posted by MU student at 6:53 PM
Bubba, you missed the point. I know that the GI Bill is not a handout. I worked hard for it and deserved it. But it is government funded just like HOPE. And my daughter worked hard for that and Joe calls us whiners and insults us for it.
Posted by Andrea at 1:19 PM
We must have hit a nerve. And how dare you insult my service in the military
Posted by Andrea at 1:14 PM
Well spoken for a liberal socialist. The gov needs to step up and help whiney college students. Its obvious you are a Obama supporter.
Posted by Joe Cool at 10:02 AM
I did answer her. Funny if you want an education you can get one. Its people like you that whine. I know plenty of people who came from poor backgrounds and worked there way throught school. Didn't get help from the gov.
As long as people think they have to be rich to get an education then they want even try.
Posted by Joe Cool at 9:49 AM
Why wont you answer Andrea? I bet if you do you wont use citations. I bet you dont know what citations are. Now for everyone watching this from the sidelines. As progressives all that we want is for government to run. Yes Government is like anything made up of people.. flawed. But who are you going to turn to to find an education on the subject of our calling> Will the private sector help you.. no they wont if it doesnt suit them. Does Haliburtan need philosophers or deep thinkers, no they do not. Government has a role. The Government needs to administrate our society, and in this country that is limited. It is limited because of liberty. You can choose to do what you like (as long as no one is adversely effected). We need these college grads for the betterment of ourselves as a people. Only the government will step up and support them. Georgia is in the business of producing things! To cut engineering will cut the salary of every production worker ten years down the road.
Posted by Lg at 12:36 AM
The GI bill is not a handout as you say. SOme people in the military put there lives on the line for the GI bill. Your logic stinks.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 9:27 PM
Last but not least I do hope you are able to finish your education.
Posted by Joe Cool at 8:51 PM
ITs obvious the military didn't do anything for you Andrea. Its called serving your country. Yeah I went into the military. The people in ROTC will be serving there country for years to come instead whining that someone owes you.
Funny I worked while getting my education. My wife who came from a poor background worked 3 partime jobs while going to college when there was no hope scholarship. She also got her masters while working fulltime. SO it can be done. Just you two whine and cry wanting everything given to you instead working for it or serving your country. Also Andrea my daughter is in the coast guard and she is going to school partime while raising a 1 year old as a single parent. She doesn't whine like you two.
Posted by Joe Cool at 8:49 PM
Ashley is right about the cuts- they aren't just decreasing the state programs that help pay for school. Whole departments will be nixed, leaving that many more people unemployed. They've already cut the GA tuition equalization grant and a loan program for engineering students (on that meant to entice them to work in GA after graduation). I understand that everyone is in debt right now, but there are other measures that can be taken to lessen the deficit than to dig so deep into funding for education- something EVERYONE is entitled to and should be able to attain. The way it's going, though, we will only have those who can afford it receiving college degrees. Personally, though, I'd rather be destitute and educated than rich and stupid. I guess I'm still clinging to the idea that intelligence can get you to places that money can't.
Posted by MU student at 6:40 PM
What it comes down to is: Higher education is for the rich! Let the rich people have the better jobs. We are lower and middle class and our children only deserve the same because that is how this country rolls. Thank's again Government!!!
Joe Cool: Yeah! Military! I hope you went to the military. I did. And I do not want my daugher to go! And just like MU student pointed out: GI Bill is a hand out also. Your logic stinks!
Posted by Andrea at 4:17 PM
The Simpson's has more viewers than Fox News so whats your point?
Posted by Izzy at 2:13 PM
And the money you get after you're out of the armed services comes from where? The government. So by your definition, shouldn't that be considered a handout, too? I am and probably will be working in a government-funded position for my education and I'll leave it at that. Frankly, it's annoying that the ROTC cadets have their school paid for simply because they're in ROTC. I might make better grades and promise to do something just as meaningful for the country and still have to pay out-of-pocket for school. In short, the whole system of paying for higher education needs to be reevaluated, and budget cuts are no way to start.
Posted by MU student at 1:46 PM
Apparently some of you have not actually paid attention to what student are really asking. Students ARE NOT asking for a handout. We are asking for majors to be held onto, and a little more importance be tagged onto education. HOPE does not cover the tuition increase, and if your going to call a student lazy because they have worked hard to get HOPE in the first place and also keep it while in college in order to pay for higher education, then maybe you need to look up the definition of lazy. And fyi, students are not the only ones who are against budget cuts.
Honestly a tax on cigarettes should be enforced, why would you raise the price of education which furthers you in life rather than something that will kill you.
Posted by ashley at 1:35 PM
Really last I remember fox which spelled it wrong is the number 1 news in the nation.
Posted by Joe Cool at 10:02 AM
Getting degree does not mean you will have a job.
Posted by Joe Cool at 10:00 AM
If not for programs like HOPE, and the fact that I worked two part-time jobs while enrolled full time at UGA, I could not have graduated. My senior year ended shortly after the major economic downturn, so I was lucky. A 70+% increase in tuition and I would have been unable to go to school despite the hard work I put forth. What we wore at the Capitol building has nothing to do with the point we were trying to make. What is the future prosperity of Georgia worth to you?
Posted by Jeff at 3:47 AM
Students, please read at least one newspaper a day. They're free at the library. Skip the showbiz and music sections and go to national and world economics. Please become aware of the world outside your campus. There is a map on the internet that shows the jobless situation of the country. Just in Coweta county, homes are still being lost to forclosures, which means both wage earners have lost their jobs. No taxes collected on income or real estate means no money for state services. A degree may now take 5 years or more, if you can afford it. No extras anymore, its cut to the bone. Next year will probably be worse
Posted by Bebe at 3:43 AM
You can always join the military to fund your education.
Posted by Joe Cool at 3:08 AM
Where are your facts? History is a fact. ITs not the rewritten liberal history. Fact of the matter democrats controlled the country before wall street happened. Want anymore facts? You need to stop listening to mathews and olberman on MSNBC.
Posted by Joe Cool at 3:04 AM
No facts huh Joe
Posted by Lg at 9:38 PM
Attending college, especially at a private institution, without financial assistance isn't feasible for most students regardless of their parents' income. Students loans, HOPE, and tuition equalization grants aren't handouts; they're a means of funding higher education. How ignorant are you to say that education is a waste of money and that those who need gov. assistance to attend college are looking for a handout?
Posted by MU student at 7:44 PM
It's spelled l-o-s-e...you can tell a Faux News watcher.
Posted by Ummm... at 7:30 PM
You liberals might want to stop watching MSNBC of course if you do they will loose all two of there audience.
Posted by Joe Cool at 7:08 PM
Everyone is asking for a handout. You can't get something for nothing, which is what most people are demanding. A quality education costs money. Don't expect that money (or anything for that matter) to come from the government via others' tax dollars.
Posted by Darryl at 1:55 PM
I am amazed that you think students are asking for a handout. We pay our tuition and work very hard. We are asking to not have our programs cut (as mine is, I might not be able to graduate from my school!)and to keep teachers at all levels from losing their jobs. How is that a hand out?!
Posted by Ateacher at 12:31 PM
Bush conjured up the wall street bailouts. Go ahead and wiki TARP. I do give you points for trying to come up with your own talking points. BTW go ahead and see who is for and against regulation of Wall street. You are a total failure.
Posted by Lg at 12:19 PM
You act as if Bush did not have this in his hands waaaaay before President Obama?! I worry about people like you.
Posted by Bush? at 12:15 PM
Isn't it strange that Obama can conjure up billions to bail out Wall St. firms that got into that mess due to their own inadequacies yet education can be cut deeply when it is the future of our nation? There is something seriously wrong with this administration, it is time to reclaim our once mighty nation. He is bleeding our nation dry while the top earning execs have gotten many bonuses for their "fine" work at the helm. How about a university bailout? It is the taxpayers' money after all, not Obama's. He is causing irreparable harm to this country for generations to come.
Posted by concerned citizen at 11:17 AM
Seriously, when will our youth stop waiting for handouts and start working to achieve something? I'm worried about the future of our nation...
Posted by Darryl at 10:48 AM
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Posted by Lg at 8:27 PM