Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 21, 1993 TAG: 9310210108
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Chanting repeatedly "No more cuts!" the students looked to the media for help and were urged to target their legislators in an effort to stop the latest round of cuts.
"Enough is enough," said Ronnie Stephenson, president of Tech's Student Government Association. "Higher education . . . is where the future of Virginia lies.
"The cameras are on," he said. "Now is the time for us to take charge."
The noon rally on the drill field occurred simultaneously with other rallies at colleges and universities across the state as students, staff and faculty vented their frustrations at the cuts to be handed down by the state for the fourth year.
Virginia Tech Police Capt. Jody Falls estimated the crowd at 4,500, and said it was the largest on the campus since the Vietnam War.
"That's more than go here," said Leonard Ornstein, student president at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, where about 100 people showed up to listen to speeches.
"Part of the reason we're having a rally is to let people know," Ornstein said. "If they don't care, then they're not going to be able to stop the budget cuts."
A contingent of about 50 Radford University students came to Tech's rally, said student government President Ali Hebler. Radford plans to hold a rally Oct. 28.
Rallies also were held at the College of William and Mary, George Mason University and the University of Virginia.
Since 1989, the state has cut funding to higher education by $413 million. Last month, Gov. Douglas Wilder told the presidents of Virginia's public colleges to stop "whining" and make major changes in the way they run their schools.
Three years ago, Tech's primary source of funds was state money. Now it is tuition and student fees.
The state's public colleges have battled the previous cuts by raising tuition 44 percent since 1990 - an action noted by those in the crowd.
"If tuition goes up 10 to 15 percent, I won't be here next year," said Jason Price, a Tech freshman from Blacksburg majoring in music. "I can't afford it."
The cuts are "like cutting the legs off the horse - it doesn't run," said James Springer, a senior math major. `It seems like we have [a rally] every year. Eventually it'll hit someone in the head."
"Hopefully, all the students will rise up and make a difference," said Cynthia Poole, a junior accounting major from Culpeper. "It's just ridiculous that this is going on."
Tech's rally was kicked off with speeches by Rob Nelson and Jon Cowan, founders of "Lead or Leave," a Washington, D.C.-based group working to get young people involved in politics and educated about the nation's economic crisis.
The twentysomething leaders, who've been featured on national television and on the cover of U.S. News & World Report, struck hard with their message.
"Students have had enough of being the first ones to take a hit," said Nelson. "Tell the state of Virginia to clean up its act, and not at your expense."
"They're selling out the future so politicians can stay in office, and that's not right," said Cowan.
The two candidates for the 12th District House of Delegates seat also took the opportunity to speak and be recognized.
Both Nick Rush, the Republican candidate, and Democrat Jim Shuler said they would fight against further cuts to higher education, if elected.
"Don't take your vote for granted; others will do that for you," said Stephenson.
Stephenson, Hebler, Ornstein and other student leaders from around the state are to meet with the Mary Sue Terry and George Allen campaigns in Richmond today.
Faculty and staff representatives also addressed the crowd, some of whom waved signs saying, "Sense with Cents" or "Fiscal Child Abuse." The speakers urged them to sign banner-sized petitions to be sent to the governor and to let politicians hear their concerns.
"The legislature sees no reason to look elsewhere than at higher education," said David DeWolf, an engineering professor and head of the faculty senate. "We are a scapegoat.
"You have started with this rally; now, continue."
by CNB