What do we got? Taxation. What do we want? Representation.-Chant

Over 30 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students assembled in the Union Concourse Thursday to protest what they said were unfair financial policies at UWM.

Students spoke out against UWMs budget policies, which according to the protestors are driving students further and further into debt. The protest, which began small, but gradually grew into a sizeable crowd, could be heard throughout the concourse.

The students chanted, What do we got? Taxation. What do we want? Representation. and, Get your hand out of my pockets. Students took turns speaking in front of the group.

Students said tuition rates have risen over 70 percent in the last decade, which is five times higher than the inflation rate in the United States.

The average Milwaukee student is $20,000 in debt, said Carlo Albano, who was then answered by the chants of the crowd. Albano would eventually lead the students on a march throughout the Union.

Students are also concerned about the growing number of budget cuts affecting organizations throughout UWM. They said UWM controls $10 million in funds, while student resource centers and organizations are left struggling to survive.

The protest comes just one week after UWM Financial Aid Director Jane Hojan-Clark made headlines in regards to her relationship with UWMs preferred student loan lender, Student Loan XPress.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Hojan-Clark sat on the advisory board of the lender, and received fully paid trips to conferences in Ohio and New York City, which included meals, airfare and hotel costs.

Student Loan XPress handles 55.5 percent of all federal loans taken out by students at UWM, according to the Journal Sentinel.

Hojan-Clark has since resigned from the lenders board.

A student at the protest, who chose to remain anonymous, told the Post that the recent headlines are fueling their concern.

Private loan lenders are increasing prices, while employees are being sent out on conferences across the nation, he said. Competition is gone, and students are left without a choice of loan providers.

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