Students Rally to Demand More State Funding
JSC Students To Hold Rally To Demand More State Funding of Higher Education
EFFORT WILL COINCIDE WITH RALLIES AT OTHER VERMONT STATE COLLEGES
October 20, 2011
Johnson State College (JSC) students, faculty and staff will hold a rally starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, to press for improved state funding of higher education in Vermont. They will be joined by several state and local political leaders, including Lamoille County Sen. Richard Westman.
Vermont ranks 50th nationwide in state support of higher education. As a result, students at Vermont State College (VSC) institutions pay the highest net tuition of any state college in the U.S. In 1980, the state covered 51% of VSC operating costs; today it provides just 18.7% of the amount, leaving students holding the bag for the rest.
Lacking adequate state funding, colleges are forced to either significantly raise tuition (which is neither desired nor possible in Vermont) or make significant cuts in programs and personnel. The rally at JSC is one of several taking place on the same date and time at other VSC institutions, including Lyndon, Castleton and Vermont Tech.
For more information, contact the JSC Student Government Office at 802-635-1232.