Sunday, February 7, 2010
Response to budget cuts: let's hold hearings!
With the latest round of state budget cuts threatening to put the state back to the stone age, and cuts to higher education that are practically inhumane, students across the state are rallying for action. Students at UNLV are planning a walkout (Nevada State College students reportedly are joining). UNLV students have an activism page set up on facebook, SaveUNLV, and they even have a Web site. Students from the College of Southern have consistently been vocal against budget cuts at Board of Regents meetings. The student response at Nevada? Let's hold some hearings!
Now, we can debate the merits of a walkout, which to me seems like a stupid, misdirected effort at activism, but at least it's activism. But ASUN? Holding hearings? Now? Really?! The time for hearings has passed. You guys are way behind the curve. Now is the time for activism.
I look at the ASUN Web site, and there is not a single mention of budget cuts. Instead, I'm told about scholarships, some thing called "The Conference," and some useless waste of money about stereotyping through words.
Instead of spending time in a room insulated from your peers, it's time to start rallying them to Carson City to lobby the legislature that budget cutting is not the solution. Instead of spending money on a sexual health week and a leadership conference, why not spend it on flooding legislators with letters explaining why the state must consider diversifying revenue to spare higher education?
One thing is clear, Nevada: It's time to take matters into your own hands, because the ASUN is busy looking out for their selfish interests, not the interests of its 12,500 undergraduate members.
At least not all hope is lost. Some Nevada students seem to have the right idea.
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I was the Senate Interim Finance committee hearing on the 4th with a handful of ASUN government officials, including Eli and Jillian. I did not get a very good impression of it, although Bill Raggio seemed opened to the idea of raising taxes.
ReplyDeleteThere is not much room for optimism, but I agree, the more pressure the better.
By the way, I went to the meeting after the Super Bowl, I was the only one to show up, excluding the organizer and a friend of his. lol...
ReplyDeleteI apologize for my defense mode. I'm not writing to attack any individuals, but I do want you to know that the hearing is in no way a response to the budget cuts. This was planned nearly a month ago. The chancellor is going to all the institutions to give his regular Tuition and Fees report to the governing bodies. It just so happens that it came at a time when the budget crisis has, once again, surfaced.
ReplyDeleteASUN has a plan of action that has been discussed, although it isn't (and probably should be) listed on our website. After Gibbons state of the state-- you will hear oUr plan-- complete with a rally, public officers as guest speakers, letter writing, town halls, etc. Senators have also been instructed to give a quick speech during their classes to let students know about the budget crisis and our institution, at least what we know, so far, which if it's anything like what the state legislature knows, isn't very much (until possibly tonight). Furthermore, senators from every college are sitting on college level boards to help deliberate and be a voice for students on where the cuts will impact specific areas of their college.
More questions or concerns? Please e-mail your elected representatives.