Working for an institution such as Mt. Hood Community College includes a little give and a little take. The budget crisis in Oregon has been a constant reminder for college students and faculty alike for a number of years. We complain of high tuition costs, book costs, even the food in Vista Dining is too expensive for some. Throughout the turmoil and issues with money and where it goes, students must remember that we’re not the only ones suffering.

The faculty gets hit just as hard as us, through pay cuts and the promises of raises. With the balancing act college administrators perform each year, hard decisions must be made and the budget needs to be balanced. They look at new ways to save, anywhere from closing the campus on Fridays to cutting entire classes from the schedule. Everybody bleeds a little bit when it comes to budget issues at MHCC.

As students attending MHCC, and for future alumni of this community college, we want to say thank you to those protecting us through a desperate time. The board stood their ground when they said they did not want to raise tuition anymore. Administrators, faculty, and classified took the hit instead. They were first to begin to domino effect of cuts across the college to save student’s money.

Thank you to those sticking up for the underdogs and those willing to stick their necks out for those struggling. Though complaints of high tuition and book costs will continue despite your loses, we really do appreciate the hard work and sacrifices made.