Speak out about tuition hikes

With ASUM elections taking place next week and the Montana Legislature convening next January, University of Montana students have a slew of opportunities to shout about the sad state of higher education funding.

Each legislative year ASUM candidates promise they’ll lobby our representatives to fund higher education. But even with the predictable campaign shtick, the state’s share of funding continually shrinks.

Each year tuition costs jump. They are about 10 times higher today than they were 30 years ago. The reason they go up is because the state steadily pays a smaller share each year. In Montana, the state currently pays about 12 percent of UM’s operating costs.

Students need to evaluate which ASUM candidates will represent our financial interests best. And once the new student government lands in office, it’s essential we apply constant pressure on them to keep campaign promises.

The only way to ensure a quality education is available for everyone who wants one is by pushing our student government, with the vocal support of the student body, to pressure the Legislature to fund the university system.

It’s our responsibility to hold our elected representatives to the promises they make.

It’s easy to bemoan the breakdown of college funding and whine about tuition hikes, but if students don’t get involved, it will only get tougher to pay for a college education.

Because college-age folks rarely vote – in ASUM elections or otherwise – it’s easy for our representatives to forget about us. But if we make noise, it’s hard for them to forget.

It doesn’t take much effort to get noticed. Write a letter, send an e-mail or swing by Helena on your way back from winter break next year. Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s office is already crafting a budget for the upcoming term. This is a perfect time to drop him a line.

By taking ownership of our educational system, ASUM and state representatives will have little choice but to pay attention.

The general election for ASUM executive and senate positions will be on April 24 and 25. Students can vote via Cyberbear. The results will be available on April 26.