Monday, November 12, 2007

Crisis in Annapolis

As I hope you all are painfully aware, we have a fight on our hands in Annapolis that risks tuition increases of 12% next year and serious cuts to current services. As the state attempts to put its fiscal house in order, we must make sure that they protect the future economy and do not continue to sacrifice students to make ends meet.
I have been in Annapolis consistently attempting to ensure the student voice is being heard. However, I cannot be effective unless we all work together to hold our elected representatives accountable to our needs.
On Wednesday and Thursday, we effectively mobilized with students across the State to get the Senate to put back the $55 million in dedicated funding to higher education they had taken out in Budget and Tax Committee. However, we took another blow when the House elected to get rid of dedicated funding (and $55 million) as well as a $3 million cut for next year's budget. So we need to regroup and get to work so we are restored when the two
I urge you to visit the SGA website for information on how to contact lawmakers both by phone and by email. I also hope you and all your friends will join our Facebook Group "Terps for Affordable Higher Education."
We have a strong voice if we unify and decide to use it. Please join me and the SGA in making our representatives work on our behalf. Let's get to work.

2 Comments:

At November 13, 2007 at 12:10 PM , Blogger Marko said...

I would have to agree that a 12% increase in tuition is cause for alarm. What services are they talking about cutting?

Mark

 
At November 15, 2007 at 11:07 PM , Blogger Andrew Friedson said...

Mark,

Indeed it is. The services have not been decided. In the end, the Legislature cannot make those decisions. They will decide to cut and then the Board of Regents and university will decide. I am hopeful we won't get to that, but for that to happen we need your help! Please go to our website, join the facebook group, and tell all of your friends! We are working tirelessly to make sure that doesn't happen.

Andrew

 

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