:: Running from the Thought Police ::

:: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 ::

But I Thought This Was A Public University

Tuition dollars now contribute more money than the state does to the university.

Al-Shawaf said as the state cut back its financial support, students voted to raise tuition in a survey sent out through a mass-mail.

According to Adam Blahnik, senior in LAS and member of the Illinois Student Senate Budget Committee, 8,800 students responded to the survey. Of those, 52 percent said they would support a 9 percent increase in tuition and 48 percent of the students said they would not. However, only 33 percent of the students who responded said they would also support an 11 percent increase in tuition, while 67 percent voted against it.

Continued decrease of state funding could have a negative impact, said Bill Adams, associate provost.

"It could cause us to become more reliant on tuition and I'm not sure that's real healthy," Adams said. "Historically, we have been partners with the state and that has helped build a stronger University. We are a better institution when the state partners with us. There are limits to what we can do without enough funding."

Al-Shawaf said he feels relying on tuition as the main source of funding makes the University less accessible to some students.

"It definitely would push students out from attending," he said. "We need to balance accessibility and quality. If state funding keeps decreasing, accessibility or quality will be sacrificed."

...This week, members of the Student Senate are also working to get more funding in the form of a letter campaign. Tables are set up in buildings around campus for students to sign letters that will be delivered to state senators, representatives and the governor, Rod Blagojevich.

"It's a great idea to stop by, sign a letter and let your voice be heard," Al-Shawaf said. "Our goal is to hit 3,000."

Find one of the tables and stop by. I got a letter back from my parents' state senator last year, and in part due to ISS's drive the university didn't see any funding cuts for this year. Hopefully ISS can help convince the state that it needs to at least keep up with inflation or else educational quality at the university will suffer.

:: The Squire 12:19 AM :: email this post :: ::
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