“I shall never be content until the beneficent influence of the university reaches every home in the state,” said Charles Van Hise, UW System President from 1903 to 1918. His initiatives created what became known as “The Wisconsin Idea,” leading the UW System to be one of the best in the country. Unfortunately, not “every home in the state” can gain access to the Universities of Wisconsin because we are continuously being priced out of an education.

Last week, I had an editorial printed in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Badger Herald, and the UWM Post, which encouraged all students to get involved in lowering tuition. As most students can recognize the problem of exponentially growing tuition and see the necessity to reverse it, I have received a lot backlash for initiating a campaign that wishes to increase funding to the UW System. Since there seems to be some confusion, I would like to elaborate on this.

Critics agree that higher education is important, but advocate tepid action that will result in insignificant long-term outcomes. A well-educated state benefits not only the individuals who had access to education, but also the economy, the state’s future, and the society as a whole. On top of the benefits, it is becoming increasingly necessary to obtain a higher degree in order to earn a livable wage or salary. To put it simply, when more Wisconsin citizens have access to higher education, the better off the state of Wisconsin will be.

Some do not understand this argument. I understand that not everyone sees the direct benefit of affordable education nor do they think higher education should be publicly funded. When it comes to public higher education, it is illogical to argue with anyone who philosophically believes that public institutions should not be publicly funded. Nor is it logical to allow tuition to continue to rise exponentially.

If tuition continues at this rate, UW-Milwaukee students will be paying $30,000 a year in tuition in less than twenty years. Further, the public is already paying for the UW System, but as it is right now, the whole public cannot afford to use it. Having an obligation to pay for something that you may not be able to use is a fundamental failure.

I have had conversations with many student leaders, members of the Board of Regents, and the highest budget-making members of UW System. While a few have declined to get involved, I have received overwhelming support followed by a “if you build it, they will come” sentiment. Essentially, UW leaders sent me the message that if students organized and made a clear presence to state legislature, lowering tuition will be a successful initiative. Despite personal attacks distracting from the issues at hand, people view this campaign to lower tuition with respect, especially in the UW System Office.

Some have also made the claim that UWM’s Chancellor, Carlos Santiago, should drastically cut the salaries of himself and the rest of his Administration. Not only would this ease tuition very minimally, it would severely hurt UWM and essentially leave the university without an administration. Further, if the Chancellor and his administration made nothing it would only be an aesthetic change and would do nothing to structurally solve the tuition issue or would it benefit the student body.

Instead of cutting UWM (and all other UW System schools) internally, we need to increase all funding to UW System Universities in order to properly pay faculty, staff, and administration (who took a three percent cut this year), as well as reducing tuition so all Wisconsin citizens can have access to a quality education. UW schools are always going to be publically funded, but it needs to done at an appropriate rate. If the UW System got a proper increase, the amount of money that would go to public higher education would benefit the State and students, while creating an almost unnoticeable difference in the Wisconsin state budget as a whole.

It must also be noted, that while we are working on lowering tuition, we have also created committees to enact a textbook rental program at UWM, work with the community to make the area safer, and also remove the fee that comes with taking an online class. These are our priorities for the year. If you are interested in joining any of these efforts, more information can be found on our Web site, www.sa.uwm.edu.

When speaking with members of the UW System, the UW Board of Regents, and many student leaders, there is a feeling across the board that the state of Wisconsin needs to stop competing for self interests, but instead start working to make Wisconsin a better state. There is a feeling that we need to return to the principles of what has made Wisconsin and the UW System great in the past; the Wisconsin Idea: the notion that Wisconsin is built on morality, community, and a greater good. Building a system that would benefit the state overall is the basic tenet of this Initiative.

Two weeks ago the influential historian, Howard Zinn, died. In my State of the Students Address in the beginning of the year, I used the title of his memoir, “You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving Train.” In the context of lowering tuition, I believe Zinn’s title to be wise advice. Tuition is rising exponentially and it has been made clear by members of the Board of Regents and members of the University of Wisconsin System that the only way this can be halted and reversed is for students to take action and put pressure on the state legislature. All students should do whatever they can to make lower tuition a reality. There is more information at www.100aclass.org or, you can contact me at jburseth@uwm.edu.

Just like a moving train, the push for an affordable higher education is on the move. And, you have three choices; you can lead, you can follow, or you can get out of the way.

Jay Burseth is the UWM Student Association President.