Supporters rally to impede budget cuts

This April marks the beginning of an historical lawmaking session. The Louisiana Legislature has until June to fix the current budget cut crisis. The current budget will be a threat to public colleges and universities. To show their disdain for the impending budget cuts, students from Southeastern, Louisiana State, Southern University, Southern University of New Orleans and other higher education institutions came together during a demonstration held on April 15 at the Louisiana State capitol from noon until 3 p.m.
With the theme of “No Funds, No Peace” and “No funds, No Future,” several school and state representatives spoke during the event.
“We will not take this any longer,” said State Representative Pat Smith.
“I wont to commend you for being here, I don’t mind speaking against what is happening for higher education. You guys are my future and each one of you should have an opportunity to be what you want and can be,” added Smith. “The only way this can happen is if we stand tall as a legislature to the governor, enough is enough,” finished Smith.
The second person to take the stand was State Representative Edward Ted James.
“I am honored thrilled and blessed to be here to re-enforce this current battle we have been fighting. “We don’t have a revenue problem in Louisiana, but a priority problem,” said James. “I don’t care how many movies are filmed in Baton Rouge, if we don’t have money for higher education.” “My concern rests with the students and their parents that have been taxed out of a good education,” finished James.
Current SGA President Robert Fisher of Baton Rouge Community College explains that students are not able to live their dreams with continuous budget cuts.
“We are not able to achieve the American Dream, we cannot fight this battle alone. We need our legislature to get on board,” said Fisher.
Executive President of LSU, Law Kenneth Barnes Jr., shared the experiences he has witnessed with other colleges.
“I have seen many students that have to prolong graduation, because classes are not offered. We are asking that we prioritize higher education,” said Barnes.
In regards to SU representation, there were fewer than 10 students that rode the SGA shuttle that was arranged to transport students to the location of the demonstration.
“ I take the blame, I feel I could have gotten the word out more,” said SGA President Nicholas Harris.
Harris went on to say that he felt that campaign week was another factor as to why students didn’t attend.
“It is campaign week, and I know that they can’t campaign off campus, but I do feel it would have been a greater look if the persons that were running would have put on their SU gear, told there campaign team to do the same and came to the demonstration.”
Commenting on the current campaign season, Harris made a connection between the demonstration and campaign week.
“The overall level of competition is down at SU. I have never seen so many unopposed candidates running at SU.”
Southern University of New Orleans currently has faced over 8 million dollars in budget cuts in the last decade.
SUNO SGA President Dylen Johnson took the stand screaming the chant “No justice no peace, No justice no peace, we will have no peace, until we have justice for our higher education institutions,” said Johnson. “We can not afford to have any more self generated funds paying for our education. There are fewer classes provided with raised tuition and less services provided. We can not afford to have any more cuts from the Southern system,” said Johnson. “We want to be doctors, lawyers and social workers, but who is looking out for the next doctor, lawyer or social worker?” asked Johnson. “Currently the state of Louisiana has failed our higher education and this will break the link between high school students, current students and the state they live in,” finished Johnson.
There will be an SUS day at the capitol on April 22 from 2p.m. until 4 p.m. Faculty and students are asked to meet at the F. G Clark Activity Center, and shuttles will be provided beginning at 12:30 p.m. The first 500 persons to arrive at the capitol will be given a t-shirt to wear showing jaguar pride.