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By Nelson Garcia
9NEWS.com
Published: March 4th, 2010
DENVER - Andrew Bateman stood in front of a crowd of 600 people from all around the state to say the time to act is now. The Metro State College student president wants to save Colorado's college system before it is too late.
"If we wait 'til next year, we will be shutting down schools," Bateman said. "We are going to be hiking tuition. We are going to be cutting financial aid."
Bateman helped organize a protest rally and march that brought students from every college in Colorado to Denver. He wants legislators to know that there are big concerns over potential budget cuts and the resulting increased tuition.
"Higher education is being failed by this state," Bateman said. "We're dead last and that is not acceptable to me."
The state government is looking at a $1.3 billion reduction in the budget for next year due to the slow economy. Legislators are looking at places to make cuts and higher education appears to be on the chopping block. If that happens, students anticipate a significant increase in tuition rates.
"It is so jacked up," Michael Lange, a Metro State student, said. "We're paying so much already. How can they even consider paying us more?"
Lange was part of the march that went from the Auraria campus, down Colfax Avenue, to the west steps of the State Capitol.
"That is why we are here today to show our concern for how the system works and to voice our want for change within the system," Keegan Schulz, a Colorado State University student, said.
Students want legislators to find long-term solutions to the higher education funding issue even in the midst of the current budget crisis. State Rep. Karen Middleton (D-Aurora) says she applauds the students' efforts.
"I am very grateful to all the students who took the time to march and rally on the Colorado State Capitol. Thank you for your time, energy and high spirit. Your voices are important and your votes will be important when we take this issue directly to Colorado's voters," Middleton said. "I believe we need to expand access and affordability for higher education and we cannot balance Colorado's budget on the backs of college students. A strong system of higher education is important for our jobs, our economy and our future. You are our future!"
Bateman worries that college will become inaccessible and unaffordable if major cuts happen and tuition increases as expected.
"Higher education as we know it is dead in one year if something isn't done," Bateman said.
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