End Budget Cuts and Tuition Hikes at the University of Minnesota

To:  The U of M Board of Regents, President Bruininks, and the Minnesota State Legislature

Minnesota faces an historic state budget deficit that economists predict will top $6 billion by spring. Governor Pawlenty is proposing severe cuts to social programs, including $153 million to the U of M.

For students, this will mean major increases in tuition and fees next fall at a time when we can least afford it! On top of this, layoffs, pay freezes, and big cuts to U programs and services are threatened.

Already tuition at the U of M has doubled since 2000, and average debt of graduates is $24,995, the highest in the Big Ten. As unemployment skyrockets, more youth are being priced out of higher education. We need to tell the state legislature: Don’t balance the budget on our backs!

The final budget won’t be decided until May, but now is the time to start organizing to make our voices heard. We therefore call on the Minnesota State Legislature, alongside the U of M Board of Regents and President Bruininks, to act on the following demands:

- No budget cuts to education!
- No tuition hikes, layoffs, or program cuts!
- Tax big business and the super-rich to guarantee the right to quality higher education for all, regardless of income!

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The End Budget Cuts and Tuition Hikes at the University of Minnesota Petition to The U of M Board of Regents, President Bruininks, and the Minnesota State Legislature was created by U of M United Against Budget Cuts and written by Kevin P Curran (curr0181@umn.edu).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.