West Chester University Students and Faculty Protest Against Proposed Budget Cuts

students, staff and faculty gathered on campus on Tuesday to protest the proposed 50 percent cut to the state higher education budget by Governor Corbett.

“They need to hear your voice in Harrisburg,” said staff member Phil Tripp.  “You need to exercise your voice because only through exercise can it get stronger.”

Currently, the state of Pennsylvania spends $503 million annually on higher education.  If approved, that funding would drop down to around $230 million.

“Those are 1983 levels,” said Cliff Johnston, a professor of mathematics at the university.  “This university is a great value, and it’s worth funding.”

Johnston went on to say that the reason a lot of people come to West Chester is because it’s not only “a great school, but affordable.”

“I came here because the state schools offer a high quality education that I can afford,” said university freshman James Johnson.  “This [budget cut] will only limit people’s options further if it goes through.

“It affects all of us,” Johnson added.  “When people lose knowledge they become complacent.”

Professor Richard Voss has been working at the university for fifteen years, and he believes the measures taken by Harrisburg are extreme.

“We’ve been committed to tightening things around here,” Voss said.  “There have been a lot of cutbacks in the last 10 years.”

Voss added, “My main concern though is how these cuts will affect tuition.  The last I checked the average student worked 20 hours per week.  I feel like if tuition goes up it will limit the number of students who can attend.”

Johnston put it differently.

“I am an example of what the state system can do,” he said.  “I started working here because I wanted to give back to the system that gave me a chance as a first generation college student.”

“The state system isn’t just a job, but it’s my way of life,” Johnston added.  “It’s what allowed me to step up in this country; it’s what allowed me to live the American dream.”

“Decreased funding means that less can make that move and live that dream,” Johnston said.