Student body president Ryan McHardy warned last night at a USG Senate meeting of tuition fees in upcoming years increasing at a rate of "9 to 11 percent, or even higher."
McHardy urged his fellow senators to come together and fight the problem.
"We are in a very unique situation here today," he said. "Let's not blow this. We need to advocate and fight for students."
McHardy has lobbied for more financial aid from Hartford, developing a good relationship with U.S. Representative Joe Courtney. McHardy hopes to "really lobby the state hard" for increased government funding.
When asked if cuts were perhaps more appropriate, McHardy admitted that some spending would have to be curbed. However, he wants to make sure the state "understands the implications of each dollar."
McHardy felt that financial aid, which would potentially increase taxes, is not the only method to help students pay ever-increasing fee bills.
More online and night classes should also be instituted to accommodate students who have to work full-time to pay their tuition, he said.
Next on the meeting's agenda was a discussion of whether McHardy and his fellow executive officers should receive Blackberry phones through USG funding.
McHardy considered the Blackberry "almost a necessity," as he receives "100 to 150 e-mails a day" and puts in a workload that "exceeds 60 hours a week."
A Blackberry, according to McHardy, would help make his job far more efficient.
Students appeared to approve of McHardy's plan to increase financial aid, but seemed annoyedat the idea of supplying him with a Blackberry.
"I am for more financial aid cuts," said Elkin Taveras, a 5th-semester pathobiology major. He felt the increased taxes were justified as it "spread the cost around."
However, Taveras felt that the Blackberry was not a necessity and felt "he can check [his e-mails] at his computer."
"I am for more financial aid, as long as it is a grant," said Eddie Silva, a 7th-semester history major. Silva felt that financial aid in the form of loans just "buries" people in debt, which is especially difficult in today's tough economy.
Silva was also passionately against some USG members receiving Blackberries with student funds.
"I work 40 hours a week and I do not have a Blackberry," he said. "It is not a necessity especially since we have wireless [in the Student Union] and [McHardy] probably has a laptop."
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