USU students rank highest in representation for vetoing HB331
More than 150 students from across the state including more than 60 students from Utah State University gathered at a rally Wednesday urging Gov. Mike Leavitt to veto House Bill 331.
“I thought they were articulate, appropriately, professionally aggressive,” President Kermit L. Hall said in regards to the students who attended the rally.
The students said HB331, a bill redefining “resident student,” will infringe on many of their rights and will possibly change their future plans for the fall semester if the bill were to go into effect as law on May 6.
Following the rally at noon, President Hall arrived for a meeting with the governor. President Hall and Utah Valley State College President Kerry Romesberg were the university presidents in attendance at the meeting.
“I’m sympathetic with what’s trying to be accomplished here,” President Hall said at the meeting with the governor. “I’m not sympathetic with the way it’s being done.”
HB331 would entail out-of-state students to complete 60 semester credit hours at a “regionally accredited Utah higher education institution or an equivalent number of applicable contact hours at the Utah College of Applied Technology” in addition to presenting objective evidence of living in the state such as driver’s license, vehicle registration and other requirements, according to HB331.
Leavitt’s deadline is Tuesday by midnight to sign, veto or neither sign or veto the bill, President Hall said.
Until then, through e-mail campaigns, an information rally and Wednesday’s rally, students will show their concern about or support for the bill.
“Our message is our presence,” said Jake Patrick, Utah Student Association government relations chair who is attending the University of Utah.
Out-of-state, in-state, freshmen, seniors and student government were just a few of the representations made by the students who attended the rally.
“House Bill 331 leaves out-of-state students in alert,” said Kelly Ann Booth, USA government relations director who is attending the University of Utah.
Glenn Wiggam, a junior majoring in public relations, held up a sign reading, “I want to live near people not antelope.” Wiggam is from Wyoming and said attending USU is closer in proximity than attending school in Wyoming.
A press conference was led by Associated Students of Utah State University President and Utah Student Association President Steve Palmer, who read a letter of concern compiled by members of USA.
“Thousands of these students came to our campuses with the promise that they would receive residency after one year,” Palmer said.
“What about them?” Palmer said. “It is our belief that the students have an implied contract with the state and that the state should hold up its end of the agreement.”
Whether it was concern toward the possible impact the bill could have on USU’s diversity, campus life or the economy and financial burdens, each student had something to say.
“If they pass this I have to go back home,” said David Seegmiller, a sophomore majoring in computer science. “It means I kinda wasted this whole year up here.”
Palmer said, “I’m so impressed with the student involvement with USU.”