A letter from your Student Body President:

Fellow Students,

I begin this email recognizing that the information I am about to share with you might bring fear, anxiety, and worry. On Tuesday, December 2, 2008 a memo sent to the Missouri Department of Higher Education from Senator Nodler and Representative Icet of the Missouri General Assembly requested impact statements for core budget cuts of 15%, 20%, and 25%. This request was made to all areas of the state government, including grants and scholarships, excluding only elected officials and public debt. Since the reception of this letter, hours have been spent in discussion as to how our university could absorb such a drastic measure.

On Friday of last week, it was confirmed that if a cut of one of these magnitudes (15%, 20%, 25%) was made to our university, the outlook for our future as students would be grim at best. A cut of 25% in state appropriations would equal approximately twelve million dollars ($12,000,000). The university has limited revenue sources to pull from and such a decision from the state could force students and their families to absorb the cost. Twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) could equate into almost a two thousand dollar ($2,000) increase in yearly tuition for every student or a cut in financial aid funding in order to sustain the current operations of the university without adjusting for inflation.

Here are the facts and why it might matter to you.

* You might be a part of the 1/3 of undergraduate students who are first generation college students who depend on the competitive cost of tuition at this university.

* You might be a part of the large majority of students who receive financial aid.

* You might be a part of the 30% of undergraduates who come from families with incomes below $50,000 per year who would have a more difficult time absorbing these costs.

* Missouri S&T's ranking as one of the best technological research universities in the country is at stake, which means the reputation of the university may decline, hurting job opportunities.

* A budget cut of this magnitude would not only affect these facts, but many others including the real possibility that Missouri S&T may have to resort to cutting entire degree programs.


Although a potential increase in tuition would affect us directly in the short run, the overall goal of this effort is to collaborate with the other universities in the system and maintain the quality and integrity of our education, the diversity of our degree programs, and the reputation of our university.

There is hope, however, to stand-up against this outrageous suggestion from the capital. We are a campus of excellence, respect, integrity, and spirit, and I vow to you to not go down without a fight. I have established a committee to address this concern and to coordinate our efforts as a united campus against this action. I am asking any student interested in this cause to join this committee and help rally others to the fight. And, if you don't feel that you have time to be a part of the committee, then I am asking you to bring this issue to light with your parents, family, and friends, to write letters to our legislature until their mailboxes are overflowing, to make phone calls to their offices until their ears are ringing, to tell your story to everyone who also can make the difference, and when it is time, to walk with me on the capital of Missouri along with other students. This is our time to make a difference. This isn't about politics; it is about survival.

As President John F. Kennedy proclaimed, "Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education." Education is the cornerstone to the survival of our advanced modern society. Just at a time when the world needs it the most, our state is freely willing to cut funding for it. I recognize the hardship that we are in as a country, but I know that there will always be better days. It is during these dark times that our integrity is challenged and our true intentions come to light. Join me in trying to make the legislature change their attitude. To join the committee, please contact Dianna Meyers at dgmmr6@mst.edu. If you want to get involved in others ways, or if you have questions or comments, please contact me immediately. Additionally, please watch for more emails with information regarding this issue as well as how you can help. Thank you.

Andrew Ronchetto
Student Body President
Student Council
MinerNET Administrator
Missouri University of Science and Technology
acr6z9@mst.edu
314.210.5232

excluding elected officials

Would any (or all) of you be willing to write a formal response to this email to be printed in this week's issue of The Miner? If so, PM me by about 5:00 today and I'll make sure it makes its way in there.

in response to everything falling apart in the U.S., who here still doesn't have a job after they graduate? i must have put in 30 applications, had a third rejected, and only two interviews (which i haven't heard anything from). on top of all of that, i'm in debt from student loans. nice to know i'm off to a great start.

What is your major?