By Shelby Brown–
Students across Kentucky rallied at the Capitol Feb. 13 for higher education funding. Attending universities included Northern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University and University of Louisville.
“There’s a lot of problematic bills,” U of L junior, Robyn Anne Franklin said. “Especially related to higher education and also to students, like the transphobic bathroom bill.”
The rally began at 1 p.m. and was led by Murray State’s SGA President, Clinton Combs.
Secretary of State Alison L. Grimes spoke first.
“Higher education is what puts Kentucky back on solid ground,” She said. “When they tell you to sit down, I hope you stand up.”
Jay Todd Richey, WKU’s student body president, described the lottery fund as a “piggy bank” for legislators, and issued a call to arms.
“15,000 students without the financial aid they need is unacceptable,” Richey said. “Let’s roll up or sleeves and fix it.”
Attorney Andy Beshear also spoke, and said the solution to the wage gap, unemployment and job deficit is graduating more people from college. Beshear cited his successful lawsuits against Governor Matt Bevin’s budget cuts, saying he doesn’t believe the cuts are finished.
“Sadly, for my friends at U of L some permanent damage may have been done,” Beshear said. “That’s a black eye you did not deserve.”
Beshear was referring to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation problems U of L has faced.
“The further you travel down into a structure, (the) stronger it is to hold everything up above it,” U of L junior, Chris Bird said. “We keep doing our job. We ask you to do the same. I ask lawmakers to remember who they represent.”
Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles encouraged present speakers not to “point fingers,” but to take action. Quarles asked the audience, by show of hands, how many knew their representatives and challenged the audience to get to know them.
Senator David Givens announced this session would discuss performance outcome funding.
“We should be rewarding excellence,” Givens said. “It’s a win, win, win.”
Helen Vickery, committee chair of WKU’s MyCampusToo, criticized budget cuts because it widens differences between social classes. Vickery mentioned a reduction in Pell Grants offered to students.
“Higher education is not a market,” Vickery said. “Anyone who sees it that way is corrupt in my book.”
Senator Max Wise spoke as both a legislator and an educator at University of Kentucky. Wise asked his students what he should discuss at the rally prior to the event. Topics ranged from higher education funding, job placement readiness, regulations and liberal arts being pushed to the background.
Wise talked about students who attend high school in Kentucky but may not think Kentucky higher education has “value” and decide to go out of state. He finds most of those individuals leave do not return. He calls this effect the “brain drain.” Wise wants to promote what UK has to offer.
“I serve a very diverse socioeconomic area,” Wise said. “I have to look out for every student across Kentucky who wants to pursue higher education, and we must keep the Powerball promise.”
The Powerball promise is a tradition, sending money from the lottery to education funds. Sate Representative James Kay attempted to restore $40 million to need-based college scholarship funds last year, but Bevin vetoed the legislative session. Bevin has moved to restore the Powerball promise.
“In America today, student loan debt is a big business,” Kay said. “Students are delayed in buying homes, buying cars and starting families.”
EKU student Ryan Wiggins asked legislators invest in students. Wiggins spoke about program and degree suspensions at EKU, who’s Board of Regents cut the school’s French degree and comparative humanities degrees in December. Journalism, geography and horticulture programs are suspended, Bachelor’s and MBA programs could be cut and staff are being laid off.
“Higher education shouldn’t be a luck-of-the-draw privilege,” Wiggins said. “The Capitol needs to know we don’t approve of these cuts, and the Powerball promise needs to be fulfilled.”
Liberian American, Sammy Dada is the first to go to college in his family. Now a junior at NKU, Dada says that he will be the first to graduate as well.
“I would not be able to share my story with you today if it had not been for need-based scholarships,” Dada said.
U of L SGA President Aaron Vance was pleased with the rally’s turnout.
“I hope the message resonates. I hope it really does sit well with people like the governor and everyone in both chambers as we continue to work to invest more in higher education and to attain the individual autonomy of our state schools,” Vance said.
Gov. Bevin was not present for the rally.
U of L student Carolecia Mobley saw a lack of representation at the rally.
“I would’ve liked to have heard more about the minority groups, but overall I think it was a progressive thing to do for the community,” Mobley said.
Students met with legislators after the rally.
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