. 18, 2015
5
| V O L . 4 8 IS S U E 13
“Ain’t no power like the power of students because the power of students
don’t stop.” Chanted many students from all over Oregon on Feb. 12 at the
state Capitol for the freeze tuition rally. Paying for school is a constant bat
tle that never seems to end for many students. The thought of tuition costs
going up once again is frustrating. Unfortunately, that might be the reality
for Clackamas Community College as well as all other Oregon community
colleges and universities.
Outgoing Governor John Kitzhaber’s current request for funding is not
enough to restore cuts or prevent tuition increases. Community colleges
need $550 million dollars and universities need $755 million in order to
¡ cover those costs and freeze tuition for two years.
I At the freeze tuition rally, students had the chance to make sure their
voices were heard by the Oregon legislators. People chanted, held signs, and
^listened to speakers from various local colleges. Jayne Miller, a student from
^Oregon State University who is currently working to
wards her master’s degree, was very passionate about
the issue.
“I’m cleaning houses to pay for that degree. I
shouldn’t have to pay those exorbitant prices and work
|to try to make ends meet to go to school,” Miller said.
1 One of the speakers, State Representative Peter
»Buckley, spoke to the crowd about the influence this
generation has on the future of the state and the deci
sion of whether education receives funding.
“You’re going to drive that decision,” Buckley said. “Because our state has
to decide, but it’s your generation that’s going to force that decision.”
Buckley also said that is has been 25 years of disinvestment in education
on all levels, from K-12 through universities. He said that it’s up to the peo
ple to make a difference; people have to speak up before any changes can be
made.
“If education and labor stay together in partnership, if working families
and students stay together, we can change the dynamic of our state and fi
nally invest in education at a level that our students and our state deserve,”
Buckley said, “And I promise you this, if you drive it, I will work like hell
inside [the state Capitol].”
CCC Associated Student Government President Erick Breton, ASG
Grants Department Officer Aleque Mack, ASG member Maddy Scott and
ASG Clubs Senator Brent Finkbeiner had the opportunity to meet with nu
merous legislators and give their testimonies as to why they believe they
should restore the funds.
Mack and Finkbeiner said they emphasized the importance of funding the
resources and programs offered at CCC during their
meetings. Mack added that without the funding, CCC
may have to make cuts to faculty, math and writing
labs, programs such as ASG, and Future Leaders and
the chances up getting updated equipment for classes
would decrease.
“We need this money so we can keep our resources.”
Finkbeiner said. He also mentioned that they had the
opportunity to speak with Senator Alan Olson and got
quite a bit of support from him.
“I got a sneak peek at the bill that is going to be getting its first reading on
Tuesday [Feb. 17] and it’s more than what we’re asking for. So hopefully we
get that much money into the system. That would be great.” Finkbeiner said.
“And I promise you
this, if you drive it, I
will work like h ell..."
- Peter Buckley