Students and Faculty Protest Proposed Iowa Tuition Hike

By Mark Carlson, Reporter

University of Iowa employee Michael Rack (left) of Iowa City stands with other demonstrators near the steps of the old Capitol during a rally protesting proposed tuition increases at the University of Iowa on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Jim Slosiarek/SourceMedia Group News)

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By Kelli Sutterman

Story Created: Feb 11, 2011 at 5:46 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 11, 2011 at 6:28 PM CDT

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IOWA CITY, Iowa - Dozens of demonstrators gathered on the central campus of the University of Iowa Friday afternoon to protest a proposed tuition hike.

“This isn’t just about this year,” said Shawn Gude who helped organize the demonstration. “This has been happening for the last 10 years.”

The proposed hike would increase tuition at the University of Iowa by about five percent for instate students. The Iowa Board of Regents heard the proposal last week, and is expected to return a decision by next month. The other state run Universities would also see a similar hike.

Gude said he wasn’t there to directly protest the University or President Sally Mason. He just wanted to make his voice heard–that education needs to be kept affordable for Americas future.

“It’s really important for us to be heard as students,” he said.

The debate wasn’t held to just students. Some UI faculty and even a State Senator gathered outside of President Sally Mason’s office to express concern with the proposal.

“I am an alum, and I see students coming out with debt in four years that it would have taken me ten years to accumulate,” said Michael Rack of the University of Iowa.

“Keep working and keep pushing,” encouraged State Senate Assistant Majority Leader, Joe Bolkcom, “The decision is weeks away, there is more time here to make people change their minds, but we have work to do.”

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