Students rally for lower tuition at UNA
Jenn Lyles
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: News
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Fourteen four-year universities will join UNA on Thursday to fight legislators for teacher salaries, college expenses and lower tuition. The rally will take place on the front steps of the State House.
Sophomore Natalie Robertson, Higher Ed. Day coordinator, says the high cost of tuition deters many high school graduates from furthering their education.
"Many kids apply to colleges and even get in, but when they see how much it costs, they don't go any further with their dreams," Robertson said. "If tuition was significantly lower, more people would pursue college."
UNA may not be as large as other institutions, but being part of a smaller student body has its benefits.
"You have a better chance of getting your voice heard. That's why it's so important to get involved here. You are making a difference for your peers and future students at this college," said Robertson.
Freshman Forum secretary Valerie Vanstone explained how lower tuition could affect class schedules.
"Not all classes are offered every semester, or every year for that matter," Vanstone said. "If the school could afford to pay teachers to teach more classes, then some students wouldn't have to wait a year to get into a particular class."
Students plan to depart from the school at 6 a.m. on Thursday. The Student Government Association (SGA) will provide a free breakfast and transportation to Montgomery for the students who signed up for the event. The first 300 to sign up received a free T-shirt. University bands will play at the rally, there will be a parade and the governor will speak to rally-goers.
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Shannon Heupel
posted 3/05/10 @ 7:21 PM CST
I was at the Higher Education Day rally in Montgomery, and enjoyed getting to see all my old purple and gold colors once again. I've got to say that among that crowd of 2,000 or so students from colleges across the state, UNA's representatives were among the loudest and proudest - and the band was the only one to march in the parade of students to the State House. (Continued…)
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