By Brian Hancock

College students from all corners of the state flooded the Capitol rotunda Tuesday to protest recently proposed higher education cuts in the commonwealth.

Several hundred students from the University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Kentucky State University, Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University and Northern Kentucky University joined over 50 students from UK to make their voices heard over an issue that united them all.  The rally was organized by the Board of Student Body Presidents, which represents the eight public universities in Kentucky.

“Higher education is an extremely important issue, and I’m here today to promote it as best I can,” said Mary Ellen Wimberly, an accounting and finance junior.

During the rally, students clad in their respective school colors listened attentively as their student body presidents, as well as several state representatives, publically addressed the challenge of affordable higher education in Kentucky.

“Each percent increase in tuition acts as a full time tax on [Kentucky’s] students,” said UK Student Government President Micah Fielden, who was first to take the podium. “The burden to pay for college has increasingly shifted to students and their families.”

Gov. Steve Beshear’s recently proposed budget includes a 6.4 percent funding cut for higher education.  Such a decrease would be the 12th in the last 12 years, said Kurtis Frizzell, the student body president at the University of Louisville.  “This is not something we should be willing to accept,” he said.

Rep. Richard Henderson (D-KY 74th District) agreed.  After joining U of L students in taking off his shoes to support their theme of “Education Cuts: Kentucky’s attempt to fulfill its own stereotypes,” he initiated a “Take me back to 1999” chant, which echoed throughout the rotunda.

Frankfort felt students’ presence – literally – as midway through the rally half of the students were asked to move up to the surrounding balconies because there was “too much weight” on the floor.

The commotion did not prevent a continuous stream of speakers from voicing the hopes and demands of those they represented, however.

Jeremiah Johnson, Murray State’s student body president, told a story about a student at his school whose GPA dropped from 3.8 to 1.2 one semester.  When questioned by academic officials why his grades had dropped so drastically, the student replied that he was working 45 hours a week just to pay for the 13 credit hours he was also taking at that time.

“College should not be just a dream for the rich, it should be a dream for everyone,” said Rachel Mollozzi, Eastern Kentucky’s student body president.

UK alumnus Ryan Quarles (R-KY 62nd District) hoped that dream would become more of a reality in the next several years.

“Just a few nights ago, Dirty Harry told us that it was halftime in America.  It’s also halftime in higher education in Kentucky,” he said.  “We must invest in our future or we’ll pay for it later.”

Rep. Kelly Flood (D-KY 75th District) acknowledged that a cut will be coming.  “There is no money,” she said.  “But I say that to you because it’s real and activism is what we need.”

Demetrick K.Coleman, Kentucky State’s student body president, acknowledged this reality, proclaiming, “We are here, and we are tired now.” Much to the crowd’s favor, though, he refused to acknowledge such a substantial cut. “No way, no how, no 6.4!” he announced.

Dustin Robinson, Northern Kentucky’s student body president, was the last speaker of the day.  He challenged students from around the state to take a realistic approach in fighting for higher education, calling on them to contact their state representative.  In an attempt to practice what he preached, Robinson called and left a message for his representative at the podium, much to the delight of all in attendance.

As Robinson departed the podium a chant of “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, These Budget Cuts Have Got To Go!” acted as an end to a spirited and resolute rally.

By the rally’s end Kentucky’s budget situation remained hazy, but the voice of its college students was crystal clear.

“It truly was eye-opening to see how all these public schools could come together in one day to support this cause,” said kinesiology freshman Ethan Stewart.