Throughout PA, college students protest Governor's 40 to 50% cuts in State funding (over 2 years)

[JPZenger]

Last edited Sat Mar 31, 2012, 02:58 PM - Edit history (2)

http://www.abc27.com/story/17278827/university-students-faculty-protest-corbetts-spending-plan

"HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - Students, faculty and coaches from Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities protested against Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget on the state Capitol steps Wednesday.

"My goal today is to stay in school and be able to afford it," Shippensburg University junior Nicole Williams said. "This is my junior year and I am scared about my senior year. Last year I worked four jobs so that I could pay to go to school. I don't have time to work six."

The union said Corbett's spending proposal would put funding for state universities below 1989 levels."
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"I can't go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to... to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games," says Peeta.

(From the book The Hunger Games)



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https://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/537883/LHU-students-rally-in-Harrisburg.html?nav=5009

"One such rally took place at LHU last week, when students, faculty and staff spoke out to onlookers, demanding Corbett's proposed budget be destroyed. Postcards to Corbett and state senators were provided along with sign up sheets for the protest in Harrisburg.

"In a period of 18 months, (Corbett) will have cut $8 million of Lock Haven's revenue," said Mark Cloud, LHU professor of psychology and local APSCUF president. "You can't cut $8 million without cutting people."

Several students took their anger from the LHU rally to Harrisburg. Many dressed in '80s garb to represent the fact that, if Corbett's budget passes, state school funding will be taken back to the level of funding in 1988-89 - a school year in which there were about 23,000 fewer students."
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http://www.shipnewsnow.com/2012/03/su-students-faculty-protest-pa-budget-cuts-at-statewide-rally/

"Hundreds of students and faculty from school’s across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education gathered on the capitol building steps in Harrisburg Wednesday, to protest Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget cuts.

Chants of “United we stand, underfunded we fail” and “No cuts!” could be heard inside the building during the Rally for Education, which included around 100 members of the Shippensburg University community."
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http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20120329/NEWS01/120329492/west-chester-u-students-join-harrisburg-rally

"Hundreds marched up the Capitol steps where state senators and representatives as well as students from across the commonwealth addressed the crowd who channeled their anger into one loud voice that told Corbett, “We’re not going away.”

“We’re not going to stand by and let the Commonwealth’s state system of higher education be dismantled,” said State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th of West Whiteland. “We recognize the integrity and excellence of the education we are receiving. We value education on all levels, and we’re going to make it clear that there is nothing more important than to support all levels of public education.”

The proposed budget would cut funding for Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities by 20 percent, or $82.5 million. "

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http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/washingtoncounty11/03-28-2012-Cal-U--mock-funeral

"Some students and professors were dressed in black while others shed crocodile tears during the faculty-sponsored mock funeral for public higher education, whose state subsidies face deep cuts for the second consecutive year.

"We must not let education for all who want it be sent to the grave," Cal U. meteorology professor Swarn Gill said before the coffin was carried around campus, followed by people with protest signs.

Students and staff from the 14 schools will meet in Harrisburg today to protest Corbett's plan on the stairs to the state Capitol. At Cal U. Tuesday, the opponents chanted, "Hey, ho, Corbett's budget's got to go" during the rally. "It's time the governor listens," communications professor Rick Cumings said.

Cal U. graduate student Shane Assadzandi said state subsidies paid just 15 percent of the cost of providing an education last year, down from 50 percent in 1995."

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http://kuxchange.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/budget-cut-protest-shippensburg/

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http://www.unionvilletimes.com/?p=7989

"State Senator Andy Dinniman decried the proposed slashing of state funds for higher education at a rally this on the Capitol steps attended by hundreds of students from West Chester University and Pennsylvania’s 13 other state universities.

Dinniman, said the governor’s proposal to cut State System of Higher Education funding by 20 percent – on top of last year’s 18 percent cut – would be untenable for college students and their parents and hurtful to the Commonwealth’s ability to compete in today’s knowledge-based economy. Dinniman urged the students to let the General Assembly and Governor know that Pennsylvania must continue its prudent investment in affordable higher education.
“We’re not going to stand by and let the Commonwealth’s state system of higher education be dismantled,” Dinniman said. “We recognize the integrity and excellence of the education we are receiving. We value education on all levels, and we’re going to make it clear that there is nothing more important than to support all levels of public education.”

Dinniman pointed out the hypocrisy of the Administration ignoring potential revenue sources like a proper Marcellus Shale impact fee and a fee on smokeless tobacco while imposing state funding cuts that will greatly increase families’ tuition bills and homeowners’ local property taxes."

[PADemD]

1. Voting

I wonder how many of those protesters either voted for Gov Corbett or stayed home in the 2010 election. I did phone banking, and there was a lot of apathy.

[JPZenger]

2. Dangers of voter ID law for college students

The Phila. Inquirer had an article today about some of the dangers of the new voter ID law for college students.

If you are a PA. resident, don't drive, but attend a college that is over the border - tough luck. You need a photo ID from a PA. college or a PA. drivers license.

If you do drive, but your drivers license is in another state - tough luck. That is the case for many students attending college in PA. who register to vote in PA. You cannot use a drivers license from another state to vote in Pa.

The Inquirer also had people go into the drivers license center last week and ask for a photo ID. They were told they had to pay for it, which is not true. PennDOT was asked, and they said in the article they had no plans to train their people about the law. Actually, the law says you only get a free ID if you completed an affidavit saying that you needed the ID to vote.

[JPZenger]

3. Follow the money: Colleges being cut to fund corporate tax cut

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10741147