NEWS
Students sign doors to lower tuition
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by John Potratz:
- Sex and the City star shares views on life (September 30, 2005)
- ASM threatens lawsuit (October 21, 2005)
- ASM member resigns from position in protest (November 10, 2005)
- UW ranks No. 1 party school (September 1, 2005)
- Galloway's early visit spurs debate (September 14, 2005)
Related Stories:
- Students protest tuition hikes (February 25, 2005)
- Students open up debate (February 2, 2005)
- Tuition hike brings students to Library Mall (April 4, 2003)
- UW, state struggle for accessibility (September 20, 2006)
- Hundreds protest proposed tuition hike (March 21, 2002)
by John Potratz
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
University of Wisconsin students stopped on their way to class Tuesday to sign doors in protest of tuition increases as part of a rally organized by the United Council of UW Students.
UCUW completed a 15-day, UW System-wide tour at Library Mall after having door signings at 22 of the 23 universities within the system.
Organizing and Communications Director Brian Tanner was at Tuesday’s signing and said the doors were meant to signify the closed-door policy of Wisconsin legislature regarding tuition increases. He said these increases are excluding lower-income families from attending UW System schools.
“For us, the doors illustrate that when [Wisconsin representatives] close the door on legislature they are closing doors on low-income students, or students from working-class families from attending [UW] campuses,” Tanner said.
Tanner added people need to be aware that out-of-state students are also affected by tuition increases.
UW sophomore Anna Schroeder is from out of state and said although her parents pay for her tuition, she still thought the door signing was a good idea.
“Tuition hikes suck. I’m from out of state so my tuition’s already high,” Schroeder said. “The doors are a good idea — students need to voice their opinion more, especially about tuition.”
Upon completion of their tour, UCUW collected a total of 23 doors, one from each UW university. The doors are signed front to back with signatures from students concerned with tuition increases.
During a UCUW rally scheduled for Feb. 24, the doors will be hand-delivered to offices at the State Capitol as a representation of student awareness.
“The rhetoric at the Capitol is [that] students are not vocal,” Tanner said. “We have to change the conception that students are not vocal.”
At the door signing, UCUW handed out flyers asking students to take action. Printed on the back of the flyers were phone numbers of state representatives along with a script for students to follow, citing a 37 percent tax increase in tuition from last year and a $1000 increase in the last two years.
“I don’t like [tuition increases] — I don’t like them at all,” UW senior and Wisconsin native, Abigail Darlow said. “My loans don’t cover full cost tuition because my loan was a capped rate. I have to pay the increases out of my pocket.”
Darlow added she is working full time and is only taking eight credits because of financial constraints.
UW freshman Max Robbins said he believes tuition increases defeat the idea of a public university.
“I feel it’s unnecessary to increase tuition, especially at a public university,” Robbins said. “The idea of a public university is to make education affordable and available to anyone interested in higher learning.”
Although many students stopped to add their signature in protest of tuition increases, Tanner said students still do not realize there is a long way to go and that the doors are just the first step in a long process.
“Madison is the flagship institution of the [UW System],” he said. “For anything to take effect, Madison students need to step up and be vocal.”
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 11:26am):
"The idea of a public university is to make education affordable and available to anyone interested in higher learning."
No, it isn't.
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 12:05pm):
What is it, then?
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 12:08pm):
Seriously, if the purpose of public higher education is not to offer the opportunity for any qualified person to gain that education without regard to their wealth or family background, then what is it?
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 12:29pm):
Ok, I haven't yet heard how these students plan to make up the difference in the budget that the higher tuition makes up?
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 12:31pm):
Ok, I haven't yet heard how these students plan to make up the difference in the budget that the higher tuition makes up?
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 12:38pm):
Either increased state support or budget cuts. The university can't keep shaking down its students.
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 1:18pm):
The university already gets less than 20% of its funding from the state. For the state to expect us to make up for its failure to live up to its mandate is unforgivable.
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 1:51pm):
"Tuition hikes suck."
Choice quote! Well I guess my response is, "Tax hikes suck more!"
Hey out-of-staters, why aren't you going to your own state's school?
a) because even though its 75% cheaper, I am still willing to pay high out-of-state rates for UW because its a better school
b) because my parents pay for it anyway and they know UW is a deal especially for the lower tax rates they're paying outside WI
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 3:06pm):
There are other places to go to school other than UW-Madison. There are extension schools students can go to for two years then transfer. Or there are many other UW schools that have cheaper tuition and still offer a higher education.
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 3:14pm):
do you think signing my door would help lower my electric bill?
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 3:19pm):
So your argument is that Madison is for the rich and the elite, while the other UW schools are for the middle- and working-class plebs. Gotcha.
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 4:26pm):
Too many people go to college anyways. Why don't the folks whose parents will give them a job anyway just do it out of high school?
Universities do an awful job of preparing students for the real world anyways. 95% of graduates would do just fine not studying 95% of the core curriculum.
The best educational aspect is the fact that students have to move out and somewhat keep track of their own costs.
What we need to do is combat the misconception that only college graduates are employable. You only have to graduate from here to realize that the main supposed benefit of a UW education doesn't really pan out that well.
Anonymous (February 16, 2005 @ 5:47pm):
What's it like being a self-absorbed douchebag? I hope you didn't learn *that* from your UW education.
Anonymous (February 17, 2005 @ 12:03am):
"What's it like being a self-absorbed douchebag? I hope you didn't learn *that* from your UW education."
No, no, no. Being a self-absorbed douchebag is what gets you admitted to UW. While you're here, you refine your skills in hopes of becoming a deluxe self-absorbed douchebag.
Anonymous (February 20, 2005 @ 5:25pm):
"The university already gets less than 20% of its funding from the state. For the state to expect us to make up for its failure to live up to its mandate is unforgivable."
The state isn't some lifeless machine that distributes or withholds funding on a whim. When you raise taxes, people suffer.
Old folks in Wisconsin are virtually being taxed out of their homes and you're complaining tuition rises from "ridiculously low" to "still below average"?
Jesus tapdancing Christ, try and look past your own self interests.
