The Lumberjack - Digital Edition - Issue 3; Volume 99

Page 1

NorthernArizonaNews.com

SINCE 1914

Students fight bill

HB2675 would change tuition rules

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BY MARIA DICOSOLA

he Arizona Legislature is gaining support for House Bill 2675, which, if passed, would require most in-state university students to pay $2,000 toward their tuition without need-based assistance unless it is already covered by an outside source, nationally competitive scholarship or athletic recognition. Arizona Rep. John Kavanagh (R), the main proponent of the bill, explained it in his own terms: “HB 2675 simply requires students who are not on full academic or full athletic scholarships to pay a thousand dollars per year towards their tuition – towards their 9,000 dollar tuition – or for new students, it will be 2,000 dollars per year. And, they can utilize outside scholarships and revenue to accomplish that.” While athletes are not necessarily attending school on merit-based scholarships, Kavanagh believes they put forth an equal contribution toward the school. “[Athletes are exempt] because they contribute to the university in terms of school spirit, and the case of basketball and football, athletic scholars bring in millions and millions of dollars in revenue. Plus, they have to engage in an awful lot of work – which they call practice, but it’s work.” While Kavanagh sees the required tuition contribution a necessary tool for university competitiveness, the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) believes it will make college significantly less affordable because a majority of all forms of financial aid are handed out through universities. “This legislation essentially negates full-ride, need-based scholarships that pay for tuition, even if that money comes from a private source,” ABOR said in a press release. “The vast majority of public and private financial aid, including federal Pell grants, is administered through each university.” ABOR also said the bill neglects to recognize the other costs students have to pay in addition to tuition, and that in fact the mandatory contribution could prevent degree-seeking students from graduating or even starting a college education. “The legislation also assumes that students only face costs in the form of tuition. In fact, other costs, such as books, course fees, housing and meals, also add to the price of a higher education,” ABOR said. “All students make sacrifices to attend a state university. The proposed government-mandated $2,000 tuition see BILL page 4

INSIDE

Life: Opinion: Proposed state Choral show tuition changes, p. 8 p. 13 Sports: Men’s hockey, p. 18 A&E: Madame 2 Sew, p. 20

Issue 3, VOL 99 Feb. 2, 2012 - Feb. 8, 2012

Olympian’s record shatttered

Lopez Lomong’s school record broken by Diego Estrada

BY ALLI JENNEY

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fter a two-week hiatus, the NAU track and field team hosted its second home meet of the season this past weekend for the Mountain T’s Invitational. After this weekend’s results, the Lumberjacks now have 28 athletes qualified for the Big Sky conference championships in 21 various events. From freshmen to team veterans, records were challenged and personal bests set, leaving the team with high hopes for the remainder of the season. A major accomplishment was awarded to redshirt junior distance runner Diego Estrada, who broke Olympian Lopez Lomong’s school record for the mile with a remarkable time of 4:04.36. Estrada secured a NCAA altitude converted auto-bid time of 3:55.46, currently the secondbest time in the country. for the rest of the story see TRACK page 19

(Photo courtesy Matt Beaty via NAU Athletics)

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