University students rallied Thursday at the Capitol against what is likely to prove another round of budget cuts, the third straight year of belt-tightening for an already low-ranking higher education system. But Governor Charlie Crist later huddled with a mostly supportive group of student body presidents who offered only muted criticism of the program cuts, faculty layoffs, and classroom crowding students have endured.
University of Central Florida student president Brian Peterson said it was “disheartening” to serve as a leader and “have to tell students that their programs were being cut. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.”
Sholom Neistein, student president at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay-campus, said most students support the 15 percent tuition hike approved by lawmakers last year, which are likely to continue annually until Florida’s rate reaches the national average. But Neistein conceded students were growing frustrated with getting less, while paying more. “We want the bang for the buck,” he said.
The students also urged Crist to blunt legislative attempts to require students to have health insurance coverage – a proposal pushed by the University of Florida and University of Central Florida. State analysts reported that mandatory insurance could cost full-time students an additional $1,250 annually.
Crist offered few commitments, but touted the prospect of gaining a $1 billion injection of money into education if Florida can land the federal “race to the top” award for which it is now among 16 state finalists. The award is expected to be made by mid-April. “If we can do that, get a (gambling) compact, and some other things in the bank, we’ll be okay,” Crist said.
Source: newsserviceflorida.com
