Event draws large turnout

Hundreds of students and a plethora of colors from the 13 different universities within the state convened in front of the Alabama State House Thursday for the annual Higher Education Day.

Bands from Troy and Alabama State University filled the air with a vibrant mix of sounds in between the varied colleges' fight songs and chants against the proposed cuts that could raise tuition roaring from the diverse crowd.

Gordon Stone, executive director of the Higher Education Partnership, pumped the crowd up to a fever pitch before the list of speakers including Gov. Bob Riley, Sen. Richard Lindsey and Jackson State SGA President David Jennings spoke.

"Tremendous response from the university campuses, it was overwhelming to see the level of engagement," Stone said.

Some students in attendance from the Capstone said they were also amazed at the large crowd that came out, including the nearly 100 from the Capstone alone.

"I felt it was really good. Supposedly, last year, they only had like two buses and this year we had three," said Renee Wybenga, an SGA senator for nursing who attended the rally.

"I thought Higher Ed Day was a good opportunity to come together with passionate students from universities across the state to advocate for an issue that will greatly affect every student in this state," said Kendra Key, a College of Arts and Sciences senator.

SGA President R.B. Walker said he was pleased with the rally.

"I think it's the best Higher Education Day I've seen. We're not asking for a whole lot, just a fair shake," he said.

The reason so many students missed classes to rally out front of the paper white State House building was because of the proposed cuts to the state education budget this year.

"The disproportionate level of proposed cuts the universities are taking, [are] $190 million, which are about a 14 percent cut," Stone said.

Riley said though he looks forward to coming to Higher Ed day annually, this year there would be a different tone.

"One of the things I look forward to being governor every year is going to Higher Education Day, this year is going to be a little more difficult," he said.

Amy Moultine, a Commerce and Business Administration senator, said the new tasks are what has brought the like minds together.

"Just seeing how many different schools were there supporting it, usually the schools are divided on what they want and this year they came together," Moultine said.

David Jennings, Jackson State SGA president and president of the University Students Presidents Council, said he understands some cuts are necessary, but wants to see cuts proportionate to what the K-12 schools are facing.

"I think it's OK if we have cuts, but the way the cuts are going now its unfair and higher education is taking too big of a hit," he said.

While colleges face a possible 14 percent cut, K-12 schools only face a three percent cut.

Stone and others said they agreed the best thing for students to do is to stay involved.

"The first thing they can do is making a commitment to stay involved with their legislative leaders," Stone said.

"I thought Alabama had excellent turnout. [They should] e-mail and contact their state representatives and just get more informed about the situation," said Madeline Barter, executive vice president of the SGA.

"It could still change, we hope it will change, we're working to get it changed," Stone said.