Statewide protest of University budget cuts

As you may probably know, the Arizona House appropriations committee (under
Russel Pearce) has put forward a budget proposal that would, effective
immediately, cut almost 25% of the University of Arizona's budget ($103
million out of $419 million). Since the university has already spent about
half it budget for the year, the cuts amounts to closer to a 50% cut for
this year alone, with worse to follow next year.

Pearce is insisting this is necessary because of budget shortfalls. Outgoing
governor Janet Napolitano, in contrast, says that the state budget
shortfalls could be made up by borrowing, some tax increases, and the
expected federal stimulus package (some Republican lawmakers are saying they
will reject any federal money because it will come with "strings
attached"--meaning it would go to things like child vaccination programs and
education).

The effects on ASU and NAU would be comparable.

These kinds of cuts to the university will have a multiplier effect, because
they will reduce its ability to get other funds (less than 30% of the
university's budget comes from the state). Never mind the devastating
effects on the lives of students--what do they imagine the effect on the
economy of Arizona will be if the universities lays off thousands of people
and reduces its revenue from all sources? Educated people bring employers to
Arizona; the university not only employs people, but through its workers,
students, and grants, it keeps thousands of other business going. Remove
revenue to the university, and business throughout Arizona will also fold.

This is a recipe for crashing Arizona's economy. It's already on its knees,
it will lie down and die if the state legislature enacts these Herbert
Hoover-esque policies.

We don't know what incoming governor Jan Brewer will do. She doesn't have a
history of supporting education, but people need to remind her that if she
wants to be elected governor in two years--not just appointed through an
accident of politics--she needs to support education and the Arizona
economy.

For these reasons, the Student Body Presidents, Undergraduate and Graduate,
at ASU, NAU and the University of Arizona have plotted a course of action
following an emergency meeting Friday night. They are calling for protests
at all three campuses on Tuesday, January 20.

For the University of Arizona, this will take place on the UA Mall in front
of the Memorial Student Union.

They say: "bring your posters expressing your opinions, wear black shirts to
signify the death of higher education and bring as many of your friends as
you can. The greater the numbers, the stronger the message."

There will also be a protest at the state capitol in Phoenix on Wed.