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UWRF Student Senate Hosts Forum on State Budget

For more information, contact: Joe Eggers (920) 205-6289 (715) 425-3714

FEB. 11, 2005--The UW-River Falls Student Senate held a forum Wednesday to discuss the Governor’s proposed budget and potential effects on the campus. Speakers included Sen. Joe Eggers, legislative issues director, Sen. Nick Cluppert, student affairs and academic services director, student Somorae Smith and Brian Tanner, organizing director of United Council of UW Students.

Eggers spoke on the pros and cons of the proposed budget, which include a tuition hike and cuts in administrative positions. Tanner discussed United Council’s approach to the budget, which included having many of the UW schools sign doors that ask the Governor and legislature to spare students from another tuition increase and keep "UW doors open to all.

Many students from across the campus took time to sign the doors, which will be presented to key members of the legislature. Slogans on the door displayed a variety of sentiments regarding the budget that included "I’m poor," "I cannot afford tuition" and "Keep UW doors open 2 all."

A representative of the student body, Smith talked about financial burdens that students would face with a tuition increase. She also discussed how cutting administrative positions is detrimental to the University. Finally Cluppert discussed the UW-RF Student Senate’s intent to attend a lobbying day at the Capitol on Feb. 24 as well as a forum scheduled for 11 a.m. on Feb. 28 in Madison.

The UWRF Student Senate said they appreciated those who signed the door and look forward to working with their local legislators, including Sen. Sheila Harsdorf and Reps. Kitty Rhoades and Rob Kreibich, to find a solution to budget constraints that are facing students, the university and the state.

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Last updated: Monday, 14-Feb-2005 13:39:29 CST