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Wisconsin students walk out against tuition hike

MADISON, Wisc. - More than 500 University of Wisconsin students left class Wednesday to demand a tuition freeze in response to the 9.6 percent in-state and 12.6 percent out-of-state tuition hike that they say is pricing them out of an education.

"This is our opportunity to make a tuition freeze happen because if they do another 10 to 12 percent next year, then half of us probably won't be here," ASM representative Tshaka Barrows said.

While gathered at Library Mall, students wrote letters to legislators while listening to speakers describe the ramifications of the tuition increase, emphasizing the effect on minority students.

After an hour at the mall the students stopped traffic on State Street as they marched to the Capitol building, lofting signs with messages like "Cease ethnic exclusion" and chanting slogans such as "Education is a right, fight, fight, fight."

"I'm glad we took a turn towards the Capitol because they're not going to hear us down there and they're not going to care unless we get up in their face," sophomore Eddie Smith said.

The protesters gathered on the first floor of the Capitol building and continued their protest.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala, D-Madison, came to meet the students less than 30 minutes after their entrance. The students presented Chvala with the letters written at Library Mall.

UW-Madison joined many of University of Wisconsin System schools in protesting the tuition hike in what the United Council, a lobbying group for the UW System, termed a "statewide day of action."

United Council President Michelle Diggles said while most participating campuses engaged in letter-writing, calling and faxing campaigns, some took more pronounced measures. UW-Stout, UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire joined UW-Madison in walking out of classes.

The day of action is a coordinated effort between UW System students, Association of UW Professors, Teaching Assistants' Association, United Faculty and Academic Staff and the statewide AFL-CIO, Diggles said.

Tower at University of Texas-Austin opens for first time in 24 years

AUSTIN, Texas - More than 1,000 people gathered at the South Mall Wednesday night to celebrate the Tower's reopening and to be part of the first Tower Observation Deck tour since 1974.

But only a handful of people actually witnessed the breathtaking view from the deck.

Before the ceremonies began, attendees registered their names for a draw in which 10 people were randomly picked to join others for the inaugural tour.

Diana Arevalo, a photojournalism junior whose name was randomly chosen, said the view was great.

"I was excited when they picked my name, and I want to go again, but during the day," she said. "It's the symbol of UT and it's great that it's open."

Marisa Pachecano, a psychology freshman, said she felt lucky to be part of the first tour. Her name was also drawn randomly.

"It's a beautiful view, and it was awesome being up there," she said, adding that she wants to come back with her parents and her camera.

The deck has been officially closed since 1975 after a surge of suicides and a deadly shooting spree marred the UT symbol.

Renovations to the Tower began this year after a student-driven proposal prompted UT administrators to reopen the deck.

UT President Larry Faulkner said opening the Tower is a positive step.

"I think it's time for this important symbol to be experienced by people who connect to it so proudly, and they haven't had that opportunity," Faulkner said. "What makes the view special from up here isn't so much the fact that this is a high place with a clock-it is that this place looks down upon (the students')] strongest possession."

While the 10 students joined Faulkner and other UT representatives on the tour, a symphonic concert and choir entertained the crowd.

A video camera set up on the Observation Deck showed the group entering the deck where UT Student Government President Parisa Fatehi cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Tom Morgan attended the university in the early 1940s and taught chemistry from 1947 until his retirement in 1993. He said although he had visited the Observation Deck many times in the 1970s, he wants to go up again soon.

"I'd like to see how it's changed up there," Morgan said.

He said his son was attending the university when sniper Charles Whitman barricaded himself on the deck and began shooting in 1966.

The hour-and-a-half rampage killed 14 people and left 30 others injured.

"The shooting disturbed me, and I was worried about my son, but I don't have any bad memories about the Tower," Morgan said. "It's a good symbol and students should see what it represents and what we have."

In preparation for the reopening, the university has taken strict safety precautions.

Steve Kraal, associate director of business services, said a stainless steel lattice crown was built over the deck to protect visitors, but doesn't obstruct the view.

UT funds paid for the lattice and elevator, which cost about $200,000 and $400,000, respectively.

Other security precautions include a metal detector before visitors get on the elevator and two UT police officers, three tour guides and one tour supervisor on deck. Visitors aren't allowed to take backpacks and bags up to the deck.

Jerry Drake, Texas Union Facility Manager who's in charge of the reservations, said tour spots are booking up quickly. He said the tours this weekend are full and most tours next week are booked.