
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 29, 1993                   TAG: 9310290227
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By ALLISON BLAKE staff writer
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

RU STUDENTS JOIN BUDGET-CUT PROTEST

State budget cuts have sliced so deeply into the schedule of courses offered for her major that Radford University senior Gillian McGovern's still waiting to see if she'll graduate on time next spring.

Between now and the end of the semester, the Chesapeake student has to bird-dog paperwork from one department to the next to make sure an alternate class she wants to take next semester will count toward her major. Why an alternate? Because she can't afford to return for summer school for only one class.

With 15 percent more cuts threatened for next year, more of the same may be in store for upward of 1,500 Radford students who rallied Thursday against the cuts.

Fueled by Washington, D.C.-based lobbyist Chris Fuller of the youth-in-politics group Lead or Leave, students at the Heth Student Center Plaza cheered calls for their vote, and booed politicians who would cut higher education funds.

"It looks like, again, they're coming for the young people," Fuller said.

The Radford protest came a week and a day after a similar gathering at Virginia Tech, as students galvanize in hopes their concerns will reach legislators. Joining Radford's Student Government Association president, Ali Hebler, Thursday was her Tech counterpart, Ronnie Stephenson.

Stephenson said the two hope to continue to organize the student body leaders around the state to push for level funding for higher education during the upcoming General Assembly session.

Also speaking Thursday were Del. Tommy Baker and Radford Mayor Thomas Starnes, both in support of higher education funding. Starnes' appearance came one day after a study was released showing the university employs 59 percent of his city - and brings $108 million to the New River Valley.

"I would encourage you to send a message to Richmond - this cannot go on," Starnes said.

The state's higher education budget has been cut by $413 million since 1989. But student speakers said further cuts will only jeopardize the future.

"The money spent on higher education is an investment, not an expense, and we can't afford to do without it," Baker said.

The university's vice-president for student affairs, Paul Harris, then gave a mini-lesson in how to vote.

"All other power," he concluded, "pales in the face of political power."

by CNB