Tuition increase: Is there a better way?

In classic bureaucratic fashion, the administration has proposed another tuition increase to handle the university’s “budget woes.” Dr. Gregory Blimling introduced this plan at last week’s SGA meeting. Instead of resorting to tuition increases to fund university operations, maybe Dr. Blimling and his cronies could use some of their political clout to propose a long-term solution to the problems that face Appalachian, such as a state lottery. They should appeal to the state for a better solution instead of ramming this one down our throats.
According to state budget records available at Belk Library, Dr. Blimling makes $118,250 a year. At this pay level, I expect the administration to work harder to look out for student interests instead of preying on us every time the university mismanages funds. In a time where Dino DiBernardi, director of the Center for Student Involvement, makes $75,625 a year, I think we could find plenty of areas that could use a little trim from their budget. We could start with construction. Instead of practicing thievery, maybe the administration should begin exercising some fiscal responsibility.
A student proudly self-funding his education,
Anthony DeBetta
Junior
264-1371
JudoZilla@yahoo.com

Democrats to blame for budget shortfall

In response to recent articles in The Appalachian about tuition hikes and budget shortfalls, I have to ask, why did this problem occur? There is a clear reason why there is a budget deficit in North Carolina; the answer is the Democratically-controlled senate and governor of North Carolina. We have had a Democratic governor for 10 years now and currently the Democratic majority controls the N.C. Senate. Due to their leadership, N.C. has raised taxes and has run up a million-dollar deficit.
A deficit that now has all college students paying for their poor leadership. We are faced with tuition hikes, program cuts up to 15 percent and university employees’ salary worries. Was it not last fall that there were professors on this campus that sent e-mails urging one another to vote for the Democratic candidates in the state and national levels, through the university e-mail program? (Which is against the law in NC.)
Jerrold Simmons
Senior
Box 15564
js32274@appstate.edu