Student Government Association President Chaz Molder expressed his concern for the steady increase in tuition costs over the last decade at the Student Senate meeting Tuesday evening.
“During the last 10 years, tuition at the university has risen 150 percent,” Molder said. He explained that increases in tuition are primarily caused by a lack of funding from contributors outside of the university.
Molder also discussed incentives SGA is taking to keep tuition costs from increasing, including various meetings with UT’s chancellor. He also urged students to lobby efforts against rising tuition costs and encouraged students to contact representatives in the Legislature to discuss the issue and why it is taking place.
“We are not asking to sacrifice the quality of our education if other funding is not available,” Molder said. “However, we are calling on all parties responsible to do everything they can to find funding from other sources, rather than putting that burden on the student.”
As SGA Vice President Rachel Clement addressed the Senate, she expressed her support for Relay for Life, a fundraiser in its third year at UT taking place April 15-16 that donates contributions to the American Cancer Society.
“I participated in Relay for Life last year, and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had at UT,” Clement said. Students can sign up to participate in Relay for Life or volunteer to head their own committee at http://web.utk.edu/~relay.
SGA also mentioned other charities students can participate in, such as the Feb. 19 Love Your Libraries Fun Run, a five-kilometer race. The event, which begins at 7:30 a.m., requires a $15 registration fee from all participants. The fee will contribute to the event’s proceeds that will be donated to enhance UT libraries. In its 14th consecutive year, the event hopes to raise more than $10,000.
Clement also discussed the progress that freshmen have made throughout the year along with Tim Jones, Freshman Council president. For example, the council successfully raised money for international Tsunami relief efforts taking place in southern Asia, she said.
“The Freshman Council went around to different dorms raising money for charities that are contributing to tsunami relief efforts,” Clement said.
The next Senate meeting will take place Tuesday, March 1 at 5:15 p.m. in the Shiloh Room of the University Center.
