2008 Woodie Awards
SGA begs legislators to 'Have a Heart'
Rising tuition costs stir national and UNCG leaders to action
Janine Camara
Issue date: 2/20/07 Section: Campus News
Heart shaped chocolate, red roses, and student activism? This past Valentine's Day, while many people were contemplating a romantic evening, the Student Government Association held a small rally outside on the Elliott University Center's lawn.
The rally, aptly titled "Have a Heart," was held to address the rising costs of higher education. Students wrote messages to local congressmen on paper hearts, signed a petition, and were informed about the positive and negative impact of the president's 2008 budget proposal on several key financial aid programs.
The rally also marked the first SGA Action Day. According to SGA Vice President Donald Hughes, the SGA Days are "two days we set aside each month to… promote SGA and what we're doing for the students of the university as well as to take on a cause that's related to students and higher education."
The "Have a Heart" rally was Hughes' brainchild. He was inspired to bring the rally to UNCG by the United States Student Association (USSA), which is currently making the issue of federal financial aid one of its top priorities. USSA held a National Day of Action on Feb. 15, when students across America held events similar to "Have a Heart." Hughes and Senator Joanna Quick participated in the SGA-sponsored rally.
"College affordability is a universal issue," said Rebecca Thompson, USSA Legislative Director. Thompson and Hughes both mentioned that financial aid programs Federal Perkins Loans Cancellations, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships (LEAP), and Thurgood Marshal Legal Educational Opportunity Program were proposed for elimination in the President's budget proposal.
According to Thompson, these programs were instrumental in helping first generation, low-income, and minority college students finance their educations. For more information about these financial aid programs see USSA's website at www.usstudents.org.
The rally, aptly titled "Have a Heart," was held to address the rising costs of higher education. Students wrote messages to local congressmen on paper hearts, signed a petition, and were informed about the positive and negative impact of the president's 2008 budget proposal on several key financial aid programs.
The rally also marked the first SGA Action Day. According to SGA Vice President Donald Hughes, the SGA Days are "two days we set aside each month to… promote SGA and what we're doing for the students of the university as well as to take on a cause that's related to students and higher education."
The "Have a Heart" rally was Hughes' brainchild. He was inspired to bring the rally to UNCG by the United States Student Association (USSA), which is currently making the issue of federal financial aid one of its top priorities. USSA held a National Day of Action on Feb. 15, when students across America held events similar to "Have a Heart." Hughes and Senator Joanna Quick participated in the SGA-sponsored rally.
"College affordability is a universal issue," said Rebecca Thompson, USSA Legislative Director. Thompson and Hughes both mentioned that financial aid programs Federal Perkins Loans Cancellations, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships (LEAP), and Thurgood Marshal Legal Educational Opportunity Program were proposed for elimination in the President's budget proposal.
According to Thompson, these programs were instrumental in helping first generation, low-income, and minority college students finance their educations. For more information about these financial aid programs see USSA's website at www.usstudents.org.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jacqueline Wagstaff
posted 2/20/07 @ 5:08 PM EST
The "Have a Heart" article about the student body leadership efforts to address the rising cost of a college education and the president's purposed educational budget cuts that will have a negative impact on present and furture college student should be commended for their leadership. (Continued…)
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