Utah Student Association tackles higher education
Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part story dealing with initiatives the Utah Student Association presented to Board of Regents.
Fighting for the rights of every higher education student, the Utah Student Association (USA) presented to the Board of Regents on Friday at Southern Utah University four initiatives they felt would be most beneficial to students state-wide.
The third point USA brought before the Regents was tuition. Palmer said there was an audible hush that enveloped the room when USA asked that first tier tuition be capped at 3 percent.
First tier tuition increases are mandated statewide by the Regents every year. A second tier tuition increase can then be issued at each individual institution based on how much additional funding the university projects it will need.
“We feel with the creation of second tier tuition, first tier should only be used to keep up with inflation,” Palmer said.
It is then each institution’s prerogative, based on their own financial needs, to determine what added cost should be raised, Palmer said.
“I personally think it will be higher than 3 percent. I would like it to stay at 3 percent but I think it will be higher,” said Justin Huff, legislative vice president of USA.
Palmer said, “[USA] toyed with the thought of proposing that a cap be placed on second tier tuition in order to protect students from excessive increases on an institutional level.”
But because of events that transpired on Sept. 11, Palmer said this year is unique and USA was “forced to recognize that the future of our economy is not only uncertain, but appears to be on the verge of a recession. It would be unwise to try and project what the needs will be at each institution by the end of the year. To ask that a cap be placed on second tier tuition would be unreasonable.”
USA did ask that a mechanism be established to keep second tier tuition at a minimum to protect students from paying an excessive increase in educational expenses. Regent’s Chair Charles Johnson, promised to appoint two Regents to work closely with USA on such a mechanism.
The fourth and “most significant issue” brought before the Regents by USA concerned financial aid.
“We are asking that a formalized link be placed between tuition and financial aid so that they increase proportionately,” Palmer said.
Palmer said as tuition increases each year, the amount of money available to students in the form of financial aid grants becomes increasingly smaller.
“We were disappointed to learn that the budget announced Friday only requests 1.2 million [dollars], only 55 percent of the amount needed to keep up with last year’s increase. It is apparent that fighting for more in financial aid will be one of our major projects this year,” Palmer said.
Buhler said he is not sure at this point whether USA’s demands are feasible because Utah’s budge is in a “strange situation. I think everybody is wondering if the economy will hit bottom or not. If revenues are going to be where they need to be or if they are going to continue to slide. We’re going to face some real challenges budget-wise because of the economy.”
Palmer said USA plans to be “in the trenches, lobbying one on one with the Regents to the legislature.”
One of Palmer’s main goals as president of USA is to “create a partnership between the two bodies. I’m convinced that the Regents have the best interests of students in mind, and should therefore be viewed as an ally,” he said.
Buhler said the Regents were very interested in USA’s proposals.
“The board is always interested in what students have to say. They’re looked upon as our customers, really. They’re not only our customers, but they are our strong allies in legislature. I think we’re most successful when we are working together,” he said.
“I’ll personally be calling every Regent this week to support more money to go to financial aid,” Palmer said. “I’m optimistic that the Regents will work with us. We’ve already shown we are willing to lobby with them. It’s more persuasive for their cause to have students in their corner. I’m optimistic they’ll use our support and we’ll garnish theirs.”