Protest and Organize Against U of M Budget Cuts and Tuition Hikes

*STAND UP AGAINST BUDGET CUTS
and TUITION HIKES at the U of M!

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18th *(the day tuition is due)
**** two events ****
*
12:00pm PROTEST *
Outside Williamson Hall (where we pay our tuition bill)
Pleasant St. entrance, 1/2 block from University
Ave.

*4:30pm ORGANIZING MEETING*
*Coffman Rm. 303 *(300 Washington Ave.
S.E.
Join us for panel discussion and organizing meeting to map out an
effective resistance at the U of M to massive budget cuts being prepared at
the state legislature.

Updates on *facebook group*:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49369435678

Minnesota faces a historic state budget deficit that economists predict will
top $6 billion by spring. Governor Pawlenty is proposing severe cuts to
social programs, including $153 million to the U of M. For students, this
will mean major increases in tuition and fees next fall at a time when we
can least afford it! On top of this, layoffs, pay freezes, and big cuts to U
programs and services are threatened.

Already tuition at the U of M has doubled since 2000, and average debt of
graduates is $24,995, the highest in the Big Ten. As unemployment
skyrockets, more youth are being priced out of higher education. We need to
tell the state legislature: Don't balance the budget on our backs!

The final budget won't be decided until May, but now is the time to start
organizing to make our voices heard. That's why we're calling a protest on
February 18th, the first day tuition is due, followed by an organizing
meeting that same afternoon. We hope you can join us to demand:

- *No budget cuts!*
- *No tuition hikes, layoffs, or program cuts!*
- *Tax big business and the super-rich to guarantee the right to quality
higher education for all, regardless of income!*

*How much will tuition rise?*
U of M president Bruininks says tuition hikes are inevitable, but refuses to
say how much. Despite promises to protect student interests, we should
remember that the last budget shortfall in 2003 sent tuition up 29% in two
years!

*Sharing the pain?*
"Everyone is tightening their belts," said Governor Pawlenty's spokesman.
"The University is not immune to that." But in reality, the Governor
proposes $287 million in business tax cuts. That's enough to cut tuition by
60%!

*Will Obama's stimulus stop the cuts?*
Early reports say Minnesota could get several hundred million for education,
including K-12 and McSCU, but there is no guarantee this will prevent big
cuts. Many corporate-backed politicians will use the federal stimulus money
to justify more tax breaks for business. Only by organizing can we guarantee
students and workers see the full benefits of this stimulus.

*Who should pay for the crisis?*
The Governor says the tax cuts will create jobs, but in a recession
corporations have no incentive to invest. Just like the Wall Street
bailouts, where the banks are hoarding our money rather than lending it,
Pawlenty's plan amounts to robbing taxpayers to keep corporate executives
rich. If the legislature really wanted to address the economic crisis facing
workers and youth, they would be raising taxes on the super-rich to expand
public sector services and jobs.

*What can we do?*
If students, teachers, and staff – all those facing cuts – are firmly
united, organized, and mobilized to win widespread public support, these
cuts can be defeated. This will take organizing a major grassroots effort,
linking up students across the state, and with other public sector workers
fighting cuts, to organize demonstrations, walkouts, and strikes to bring
popular pressure to the politicians of both parties. This may seem daunting,
but so are the consequences of not fighting back!

*** The protest and meeting are initiated by U of M Socialist Alternative
with the aim of helping to build "U of M United Against Budget Cuts" into a
broad democratic campaign against the budget cuts.

*Join on Facebook*: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49369435678

curr08@umn.edu | 612.327.0979 | www.SocialistMinnesota.org