There are approximately 160,000 students in the UW System, but only a few hundred from around the state protested a proposed tuition increase that would affect almost all of them.
Police estimated the crowd reached about 250 students, which included representatives from numerous UW System campuses. The students began to gather at Library Mall at 12:30 p.m. Thursday to protest the 18 percent tuition increase students may face next year under a budget proposal by Gov. Jim Doyle. The rally focused on the acronym M.I.L.K.-More Increase, Less Knowledge-with the mascot of a cow.
Jeff Pertl, president of the United Council of UW Students and a UW-Madison alumnus, said he believes severe weather in northeast Wisconsin can account for the smaller numbers.
Beginning 15 minutes late, the students started the rally with numerous chants such as \Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Budget cuts have got to go!""
""My mood matches the weather,"" said Maggie Brown, legislative affairs director for United Council. ""It is a dreary day for higher education and the state of Wisconsin when the UW System, which receives 9 percent of the budget, yields a 38 percent cut.""
Mike Quieto, president of the Teaching Assistants Association, told the crowd that budget cuts to the UW System will affect more than students.
""Already departments at UW-Madison are cutting back, and TAs are losing positions which affects us and the students,"" Quieto said. ""We must address today's problem without sacrificing tomorrow's dream.""
Also, Frank Emspak vice president of the Wisconsin Federation of Teachers, told the crowd that their union believes in the cause of the students and they do not want to see a cut in class size. He also said he does not want to see students deprived of their basic right of education.
""After World War II, the doors to these universities produced some of the finest men and women to serve the state of Wisconsin and we will not stand for these doors to be closed to your generation,"" Emspak said.
After the speakers were finished, the students marched to the Capitol to send their priorities to legislators. According to Pertl, the students were sent in with a report card outlining their feelings on the budget proposal. They would like to lower the tuition increase to 12 percent instead of the proposed 18 percent.
Students at the rally voiced their concern for their ability to obtain higher education.
""I am here because this country supposedly embraces education, but we have one of the most expensive systems,"" said Alex Lazarevic, UW-Madison junior.
