|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IU Kokomo students rally for support at Statehouse
February 21, 2003 | ||||||
|
This story mentions IU Kokomo students from the following communities: ELWOOD, FRANKFORT, GREENTOWN, KOKOMO, PERU, TIPTON By Wynn Zetterberg Student reporter for The Correspondent Twenty-three IU Kokomo students and administrators went to the Statehouse for Hoosiers for Higher Education (HHE) day, Monday, February 10, to lobby for funding for higher education. Students were asked to remind their legislators that IU absorbed nearly $110 million in withheld appropriations and cuts last year and $250 million in the last two years. “I think that this was probably the best year that we’ve had,” Cathy Hightower, director of alumni relations, said. “I’ve done five visits, and I think that more legislators came to the luncheon than ever before. And I was really proud of our students and how they represented our campus. Almost all, if not all, got to speak with their legislators. This day is about our students…they tell [IU Kokomo’s] story better then anyone else.” Another point that HHE was asked to address was to have the base-operating fund restored to the level of the 2001–2002 year. Also, to have program funding to complete IU’s new school of Informatics. And finally, to restore the repair and rehabilitation funding for existing buildings and secure capital appropriations to build much needed research space. Students were also asked to remind their legislators that approximately 85 percent of the IU Kokomo graduates stay in their communities after completing their degree. This adds to the economic vitality and stability of our region. And while the national employment rate, which was measured based on a five-year period in 2001, is up 6.6 percent. Indiana added only 1.1 percent for the same period, and Kokomo’s employment rate dropped by 6.8 percent. The students went to the Statehouse and asked their respective legislators to join them for lunch at the Westin Hotel. During lunch, there was a presentation and then awards were given to State Senator Ron Alting and State Representative Sheila Klinker for their work on behalf of higher education. Legislators who attended the luncheon were Sen. Jeff Drozda (R–Dist. 21), Rep. Ron Herrell (D–Dist. 30), Rep. Terri Austin (D–Dist. 36), and Rep. Richard McClain (R–Dist. 24). “I really liked (Sen.) Jeff Drozda. He was very polite,” Crystal Carpenter, a junior sociology major, said. “I felt HHE put on a good presentation, and as long as the legislators take what was said to heart then it should benefit the university.” The students visited with and/or sent notes to their respective legislators, who were not able to attend the luncheon, to thank them for their support for higher education. Students shared with their Senators and Representatives how funding affects them and IU Kokomo using the points that they were given earlier during the presentations. Students had mixed feelings about how the day went and how well received they were at the statehouse. “I think it went well. I also think that we had a positive impact on the respective legislators. I also believe that it will help the school as well as the economy.” Mike Sandy, a junior social and behavioral sciences major, said. Students participating were Erin Brechbiel, Marcie Dillon, Sabina Kedhi, Nick Kirk, James Rawls, Leah Sand, Mike Sandy, Rick Schoenberger, Maggie Thomas, Adam Wahld and Laura Whitehurst, all of Kokomo; Crystal Carpenter, Leslie Hulce and Christopher Ols, Greentown; Chip Friend, Tipton; Tessa Warner, Elwood; Danielle Blevins, Peru; and Wynn Zetterberg, Frankfort.
Also attending from IU Kokomo were Ruth Person, chancellor of IU Kokomo; Nancy Dailey, vice chancellor for external relations; Susan Kinsella, director of annual giving; Anne-Marie Damler, director of communications and marketing; and Don Beaton of the IU Kokomo Alumni Association board of directors.
Return to Current News Releases Return to Archived News Releases |
|
|||||
