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The Metropolitan State College of Denver student newspaper, serving the Auraria Campus since 1979
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African-Americans need history Mayor calls for deeper understanding of heritage
Students speak out
Don Mitchell The Metropolitan
Students from all over Colorado rallied on the Capitol steps to demand a $56 million increase in higher education funding. State legislators joined the students. The rally was organized by the Colorado Student Association.
It is important for people to recognize and understand their history if they want to take a proactive interest in the decision making of their country, Denver Mayor Wellington Webb said. "If you don't have a basic understanding of your history, you get entirely confused in terms of how decisions are made... you don't understand why you can't deny people the opportunity to have freedom of expression," Webb said Feb. 2 in a speech sponsored by MSCD Student Activities. The speech was titled African Americans at a Political Crossroad: A Proactive or a Reactive Voice, and was a part of the celebration of Black Awareness Month. "It's especially important for African-Americans to see Webb page 6
Students rally for increases in education funding Martin Rush Staff Writer
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Hundreds of college students from around Colorado ra'.llied at the Capitol Feb. 5 to demand a $56 million increase in funding for higher education. Standing before a mock-up of a dilapidated cabin, state legislators and students addressed the crowd, stressing the theme Plank by Plank. The rally organizers, Colorado Student Association, said they fear a collapse of higher education because of underfunding by the Legislature. According to CSA, Colorado ranked 48th
in state education appropriations in 1991. from the Legisl_ature and 30 percent from The Legislature is currently considering a 3 student tuition. CSA officers said they fear percent cut in allocations. massive tuition hikes over the next few Student Body President Tom Meyer of years if state funding is not increased. The call for spending increases and tax Colorado State University said, "How can we sell our souls for a - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - hikes comes at baseball team, and not a time when "How can we sell our souls for a basefund higher educathe state budball team, and not fund higher educa路 tion?" get faces a tion?" Stephanie $200 million - Tom Meyer, CSU student president shortfall. Brishnehan, president of the CSA, called for Sen. Al a statewide tax hike to increase higher Meiklejohn, Senate Education Committee education funding. "We need to keep edu- chair, predicted the issue will cause a "doncation in this state affordable," she said. nybrook" before the session ends. Seventy percent of the funding comes Rep. Ruth Wright, House minority leader,
pushed her plan for taxing corporations and people in upper-income brackets as a means of raising money. Sen. Jana Mendez of Boulder called for an increase in state income taxes. "Our investment should not be in this Capitol," she said, indicating the building behind her, "but human capital." Keeping a college education affordable was a major concern for many of the rally participants. "College students are among the poorest in the state," said Julianna Baird, a University of Northern Colorado student. "We should not be responsible for any deficit in the state budget." 0
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