Provost protests Gregoire's budget proposal

The Office of the Provost wants to aid students who might lose their work study positions.

In a statement released in January, Provost Crawford declared his concern regarding proposed cuts to Washington State financial aid in Governor Gregoire's 2011 budget proposal and encouraged others to contact their legislators. It is the only such statement that has been released by the university. ASSU and Student Financial Services have been unable to comment on the matter in recent weeks due to the lack of an official stance, and the provost declined comment on the situation.

The cuts, proposed in response to a $2.6 billion state budget shortfall, include a suspension of state work study and several other need-based programs. Nearly 300 students at Seattle University received work study funds during the past academic year, and the program is the only form of need-based aid available to graduate and professional students. If cut, the program would have no assurance of future reinstatement.

Students at private and public universities across Washington have been organizing in recent weeks to oppose the cuts, coordinating lobbying and protest efforts around the state. Public institutions have worked with established and tuition-funded programs for legislative action since the cuts were announced.

Private institutions have seen a sudden increase in grass-roots activity to oppose the cuts, as well as the backing and coordination of private university lobbying groups such as the Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW).

The provost's message noted that Seattle University has been working with the ICW to oppose the cuts. Seattle U is one of 10 member institutions in the organization.

While Seattle University does not currently have any student organizations focusing on these budget cuts, students have become increasingly involved with efforts at other schools, particularly Seattle Pacific University.

SPU's independent Student Workers Solidarity group, which recently became an official organization at the institution, has organized several events to increase student involvement in Work Study protests, including a "lobby day" on which students were driven to Olympia to testify before the legislature.

Working both independently and with the ICW, Student Workers Solidarity has invited students from all Washington institutions to join in their efforts. The group recently announced plans for personal meetings with legislators Thursday, and has invited students at other institutions to attend. According to the group, ICW has also offered to provide up to $150 in funding for student transportation to Olympia.

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