It’s a new year and time for Pennsylvania to revamp their budget. Times are hard and we know that some things are going to be cut given the current economic situation. Items on the chopping block include healthcare, after school programs and higher education. This is where we come in. Temple, Pitt, Penn State, and Lincoln are all state-related schools. This means that we get some of our funding from the state government, whatever portion they allow us to have. The rest of what we have comes from places like tuition and other ways that the university brings in money. However, this year there is a strong possibility that we will be getting significantly less from the PA state government in the next fiscal year. This is due to a $4 billion deficit in the state budget. As mentioned before one of the three main places that this money will be cut from is higher education.
I know what you’re thinking, “SO what? What does this mean to me?” Well it means A LOT!! It could be the cause of some of your classmates or even you not being able to come back to school next year. Now you’re thinking, “WHAT?! HOW?!” Because this means that our school will raise our tuition or get rid of certain services at school to make up for the shortage. And for some people that could be the difference between them finishing their college degrees or joining the work force. Here’s an example, I have a friend who is a student here at Temple and has help from her parents for paying for school. Recently, her father has been diagnosed with a life threatening disease that could potential kill him. If her tuition increases any more, she and her mother may not be able to afford to continue to send her to Temple anymore.
“This is insane. That’s totally not fair and her family shouldn’t have to make that decision.” I know and I totally agree! But there is something that you can do. On February 15, 2011 Temple Student Government is sponsoring a bus trip to Harrisburg to rally to keep tuition low. “I wanna go, but I can’t miss class.” Well I have an answer for that as well. When you sign up and come to this rally, you will receive an excused absence letter from the university. And don’t worry, you won’t be gone ALL day or even over night. We will be leaving campus at 8 AM and returning at 2 PM. Come help fight for your school! Let your voice be heard. The elected officials in Harrisburg need to know that we care about higher education and it’s important for them to keep us in the budget.
To sign up go to www.temple.edu/government/rally/.