The Greyhound Editorial: Students must urge Maryland to not cut Sellinger funding
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Opinion
As Maryland Independent Higher Education day draws near, the debate surrounding the state financial support for the Sellinger Fund continues to be the main concern on the minds of both state officials and representatives from independent universities across Maryland. While this is certainly a difficult economic time and the state needs to make necessary changes in order to create a fiscally responsible budget, the proposed drastic cuts to the Sellinger Program would end up costing Maryland taxpayers more in the end. While only $6,000 is used out of Maryland taxpayer dollars to produce a degree at a private institution, it costs six times as much, $36,000, to produce a degree at a public institution. If the state therefore continues to decrease the Sellinger Program funding, Maryland residents who once could have had the opportunity to attend a private institution may instead end up attending a state school and Maryland taxpayers will be the ones feeling the effects.
Specifically for Loyola, if the Maryland General Assembly approves Governor Martin O'Malley's FY2011 budget, the university will have difficult decisions to make. Students may be looking at cuts in campus programs like Student Activities or RAC sports, certain classes not being offered, and most importantly, financial aid. Though students may not realize now that actions in Annapolis directly affect them, it is imperative that the Loyola community recognizes the importance of the Sellinger Fund and advocate for its cause not just for Loyola's sake but for other Maryland private institutions as well.
Though students may believe state legislatures don't value their opinions, many of us will be Maryland residents in the near future and therefore represent a population that will be reelecting these state officials into office; or not reelecting. Voicing your concerns takes a minimal amount of time and effort yet has an impact. The underclassmen more than anyone else should write an email or a letter to a representative as Sellinger cuts could impact Loyola starting as early as next year when they are still around. To take action now visit MICUA.org and click on the Sellinger Action Center banner.
Specifically for Loyola, if the Maryland General Assembly approves Governor Martin O'Malley's FY2011 budget, the university will have difficult decisions to make. Students may be looking at cuts in campus programs like Student Activities or RAC sports, certain classes not being offered, and most importantly, financial aid. Though students may not realize now that actions in Annapolis directly affect them, it is imperative that the Loyola community recognizes the importance of the Sellinger Fund and advocate for its cause not just for Loyola's sake but for other Maryland private institutions as well.
Though students may believe state legislatures don't value their opinions, many of us will be Maryland residents in the near future and therefore represent a population that will be reelecting these state officials into office; or not reelecting. Voicing your concerns takes a minimal amount of time and effort yet has an impact. The underclassmen more than anyone else should write an email or a letter to a representative as Sellinger cuts could impact Loyola starting as early as next year when they are still around. To take action now visit MICUA.org and click on the Sellinger Action Center banner.
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