STAFF EDITORIAL

Go to the board meeting! Fee increase to be discussed

Students complain about their lack of say in how things are run here at MHCC. As whispers of budget decreases and activity cuts become louder, members of the MHCCD Board are being forced to worry about how to balance pennies and dimes in the coming school year.

As ideas fall through and wallets become locked tighter, board members are looking for new resources for ideas and input.

Changes are coming and students should realize the urgency of their presence at the board meetings. People should not sit back and then complain if their tuition is a few dollars higher next year if they didn’t try to change it.

So few know they do have the opportunity to tell ASG and board members where they think the money should go. Board meetings happen on a monthly basis with little to no attendance from the student population.

Where’s the spirit and passion people show when they fight against the government or to protest the newest Wal-Mart? If there were a time for people to be active in their student government, now is the right time to not only help yourself but the future of MHCC. Community college is about students who want a chance for a decent education at a decent price. This all hangs in the balance, and the board meeting is your chance to be heard.

You don’t have to be a part of the student government or be a board member to be able to sit in these meetings and argue your point. Everybody is free to voice an opinion at these meetings during the public input portion.
The proposed fee increase will affect several groups and activities including sports, forensics, ASG and several others.

Without an increase, student activities are facing a total decrease in available money of 14 percent, which will result in no traveling for competitions for co-curricular programs and sports, decreased funds for celebrations from the Student Activities Board, and many other things that make MHCC the way it is. This is no small cut for anybody.

It doesn’t matter what program you are in, all students will be affected by the cut.
These board meetings are made for you to have a say in what happens in your school. We’re a community and for a community to continue to function and thrive, you must remain active in the politics.

Your chance will be March 8 at 7 p.m. in the District Board Room. Student fees will be deliberated and discussed for all who have an opinion.