UIC students protest fee hikes
On November 18th, a group of students from University of Illinois-Chicago and University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign gathered at the Board of Trustees meeting in Chicago to voice their concern with the rapidly growing cost of tuition. After being denied a one-on-one meeting, a student stood up at the end of the Board of Trustees meeting and yelled, “Our concerns haven’t been addressed!” As other students started to chant “Tuition freeze now!” security guards rushed towards the bandanna-covered students to quiet them down. As the students refused to budge, the security guards got physical—pushing a boy outside.
All over the nation, students are being denied an education because they can’t afford tuition costs. Student debt has surpassed all other forms of debt, but the Pell Grant will be underfunded by $5.5 billion in the coming year—denying hundreds of thousands of students a right to an education. As Pell Grants are targeted towards students from low-income families, underfunding is another way to discriminate against students.
A recent college graduate, I entered the working world in one of the worst economies to date. More of my friends are unemployed than not. However, we’re still expected to pay back the debt we racked up to continue the education that is required for a decent standard of living. As I write this, unemployed and educated, I’m also checking to see that my student loan deferment request has been accepted—that I have 6 more months before I start paying off that debt. Underfunded and needed more than ever, the Pell Grant is the only opportunity for thousands to the American Dream.
Just like the rabble-rousers in Chicago, students all over the country are standing up in protest. Tuition is increasing by 8% on average and today’s Pell Grant just isn’t enough—students are being denied the very education they’re told is non-negotiable. They’ve had enough. It is time for a change—from individual college’s budget cuts to the ballot box.
by Caleen Carter
UK tution fee’s have gone up 200%, the skill set of our citizens as a whole is going to decrease hugely as fewer people go to uni. This recession is going to have a enduring effect for decades to come.