Arizona univeristy students protest $15 million proposed budget cut

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat "I'm fearful (the rise in tuition) is more of a trend." Kelly Dalton ASA Director

The group of about 30 students, including University of Arizona Student Body President Tara Taylor, marched in front of the House of Representatives and Senate buildings and held up protest signs during the one-hour rally sponsored by the Arizona Students Association.

Taylor said the group had one underlying message for state lawmakers -"don't pull the plug on higher education.

"We're talking about very serious cuts that drastically affect our universities," she said.

Taylor was referring to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee's proposal to cut public universities' funding by more than $15 million during the next two years. The plan includes phasing out all funding for the UA law school, which would cost the college $115 million in private donations.

The protest signs targeted budget cuts and the 4.6 percent tuition increase approved by the Arizona Board of Regents last November.

Students displayed signs reading "BOOKS NOT CROOKS!," "BUDGET CUTS SUCK," and parodied the Arizona constitution that keeps public university education "as nearly free as possible" with the sign "ARIZONA'S UNIVERSITIES: AS NEARLY BROKE AS POSSIBLE."

During the rally, elementary school children on a field trip joined the protesters in several chants aimed at legislators.

"These are the people we're fighting for - the young people of Arizona," Taylor told the crowd.

UA students who attended the rally said they wanted to make sure the Legislature knew about their displeasure over the proposed cuts.

Creative writing senior Matt Cahoon said he wanted to express his concern about the impact that the JLBC's proposal would have on campus programs.

"If they keep cutting money on us, we're not going to have any amenities that we need," Cahoon said.

ASA Director Kelly Dalton said she was worried about the continued rise in tuition.

"I'm fearful it is more of a trend," said Dalton, a political science sophomore.

In preparation for the rally, ASA officials distributed more than 10,000 postcards encouraging lawmakers to defeat the proposed budget cuts affecting higher education.

The cards also denounced the proposed elimination of over 200 faculty positions, and opposed the possible phasing out of public support for the state's law schools.

Legislators have until the 65th day of the session, March 16, to complete their budget and send it to Gov. Jane Hull for final approval.