Private colleges oppose suspension of State Work Study

Students at Washington private colleges are uniting in opposition to financial aid cuts in Gov. Chris Gregoire's 2011 budget proposal.

Working with groups such as the Independent Colleges of Washington, students are encouraging their peers to contact state legislators and provide personal testimony in Olympia on behalf of student financial aid programs.

The proposal, which would suspend State Work Study for one year and cut funding for numerous other programs, is part of the Governor's plan to close the state's $2.6 billion budget gap. SWS currently provides over $23.5 million in need-based wages to students at Washington institutions, with almost two-thirds of recipients coming from families earning less than half of the state's median family income, or roughly $39,000 for a family of four.

"[If work study is suspended] we'd see some students who would drop out and not persist," said Jeffrey Powell, assistant director of the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board, which advises lawmakers on education policy. "We'd see lower graduation rates for needy students."

Seattle University students received over $1.4 million from SWS during the last academic year. Much of this was matched by private employers, with a total of 392 students in work study positions.

While there are currently no student groups at Seattle U working to oppose the cuts, several students are working with organizers at Seattle Pacific University to generate student awareness of budgets cut.

Cyan Quinn, Seattle Pacific University sophomore and co-founder of Student Workers Solidarity, is encouraging students at other Washington institutions to attend the group's meetings to build intercollegiate support for the cause.

"We would love to combine with Seattle University and with other private universities," Quinn said. "Get in contact with us, and we will try to give any students the tools."

Student Workers Solidarity has held several events to raise awareness of the proposed cuts, and is planning several more in the coming weeks. The group has also been working with SPU's associated student body to coordinate transportation for students to testify in Olympia Feb. 15.

Working with SPU's office of Student Financial Services, the group was able to contact the institution's financial aid recipients, increasing involvement and awareness for their campaign.

"In order to get all of this information out to students they [Student Financial Services] sent out an email to all students who get financial aid," Quinn said. "That's very helpful […] that's how you get people's minds alert."

Student Workers Solidarity has also been in contact with organizers at several of the state's public colleges. Public institutions generally enjoy greater organization and funding from student activity budgets, according to ICW vice president and lobbyist Greg Scheiderer.

Working through the Washington Student Association, students at public colleges are able to fund lobbying efforts and transportation for students to testify before the state legislature.

The University of Washington is currently organizing transportation for students, faculty, and staff to testify in Olympia this Friday as part of its Higher Education Advocacy Day.

But while such programs are currently what Scheiderer calls a "long-term dream" for private institutions, the ICW has set up a Web site where students can find contact information for their state legislators and hosts a "Legislative Action Center" on its main site. ICW hopes that by encouraging students across Washington to call or e-mail their local senators and representatives, state legislators in every district will be contacted.

ICW is also organizing testimony from presidents of the state's private colleges to be held in Olympia this month. According to Katie Gilliam, a media specialist with Seattle University's Marketing and Communications department, President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., is working to schedule an appearance.

Meanwhile, ICW and other intercollegiate organizations are continuing to lobby the state legislature to reinstate funding for the financial aid programs.

"We are down there every day talking to legislators about the value of financial aid," Scheiderer said. "Our strategy is based on saying that there are real faces behind those numbers on your spreadsheet, and financial aid makes a huge difference."

Seamus can be reached at smckeon@su-spectator.com.