In the wake of recently approved statewide tuition hikes, University of Maryland students are garnering support for a new political action and advocacy group dedicated to increasing state higher education funding.
Born of student government activism at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Students Citizens Action Network is an independent organization created to fundraise and contribute money to the campaigns of state politicians.
"It's a way to really be a serious part of the whole budget debate," said Drew Vetter, Network treasurer and a Maryland junior. "We did protests, letters, postcards, face-to-face meetings with delegates and senators. Now we're really trying to get serious and throw some resources at it."
Because state elections will not be held for another three years, most of the funds raised will go toward a grass roots campaign to educate Maryland residents about the current state of higher education funding. More than $6,000 has been raised thus far, said Tim Daly, Network chairman and Maryland student body president.
The Students Citizen Action Network already has received support from state delegates and senators, parents, university administrators and unions, Vetter said.
Adding fuel to the Network motivations, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents approved tuition increases at the state's public colleges and universities last Friday.
In the fall, tuition for in-state undergraduates at the University of Maryland, College Park will rise by 11.4 percent, bringing total tuition and fees to $7,426. Out-of-state undergraduate tuition and fees will increase to $18,726 from the current $17,433.
While tuition hikes vary according to campus and student status, the rise for in-state Diamondback undergrads was the highest approved by the Maryland regents.
"The regents did not take this action very lightly; they understand the hardship it's going to create for the students," said Katie Ryan, chief of staff for the chancellor of the University System of Maryland.
However, the Regents' responsibility to balance the University system's budget prevailed.
"State appropriations is declining, and although there have been major cutbacks and other cost containment measures, the Regents felt reluctantly that they had to raise tuition," Ryan said, citing a loss of $120 million over the past two years.
The hikes were passed by a vote of 12 to three and Ryan said that while some regents were hesitant to throw in their support, they were given no other alternatives that would result in a balanced budget.
Vetter said he was upset by the vote.
"I really wish more Regents would take a greater leadership role in standing up [and] fighting against government cuts to higher education," he said. "The only thing I hear coming out of the Board of Regents is stuff about doubling tuition."
According to Vetter, the Network is particularly concerned about the effect of the increases on Maryland's middle class families who, while ineligible for financial aid, still cannot afford to pay $2,000 more for education.
In response to such concerns, Ryan said the Regents are "extremely committed" to increasing available need-based financial aid, particularly for middle class students. The system plans to submit a supplemental budget request for governor-funded financial aid dollars.
The University's Board of Visitors began initial 2004-2005 tuition discussions earlier this month. While members were presented with a variety of tuition increase possibilities, action is subject to state funding and decisions will not be reached until April.
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