Letter to the Editor
Currie right to support surcharge
I would like to applaud UI Student Government President Michael Currie.
Like many students, I pay for the entire cost of my own education. However, I am concerned about the opposition to the proposed tuition surcharge. As Currie stressed, these major budget cuts are a consequence of a nationwide recession, rather than mistakes by the UI. The university has offered cuts; now, it is asking students to pitch in. I, for one, will gladly contribute to maintaining the quality of education at this university.
The UISG is elected to represent the students, but not all students are interested in studying in high-enrollment fields or subjects that garner large research grants. Even with the increase, we stand to lose more professors, TAs, and, most importantly, programs and classes that are more specialized and thus draw fewer numbers of students. Are these departments any less important to the overall quality of education at Iowa?
Some have called the increase a Band-Aid, implying that this solution is shortsighted. How much more shortsighted would it be to sacrifice our education for a little extra cash? The members of UISG who voted to support the tuition increase understand that preserving the academic integrity of this institution is the most important long-term goal. Part of the responsibility of leadership is making the right long-term decision, regardless of popularity.
As a student, I want to be able to take the classes I need to prepare me for my future. I want to learn about the things I am interested in. And, more than anything, I want my degree from Iowa to actually mean something when I graduate. I don’t think I’m alone. I say bravo to the senators who have the nuts to make a tough decision when we need it.
Ryan Theis
UI junior
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