In an effort to provide financial equality for UW-Madison students from low to moderate income homes, state Reps. Joe Parisi, D-Madison, and Spencer Black, D-Madison, met with students on Library Mall Wednesday about their new legislative bill requiring the state to match financial aid to tuition increases.
\Our challenge is to educate people so they realize that when you put money into education, that's an investment. We have an obligation to make an investment in the university,"" Parisi said.
Under the bill, the state would have to match any tuition increases with equivalent financial aid dollars.
Both representatives spoke of how education spending benefits not only students in the UW System but also the state as whole.
Black also noted that the state budget this biennium was $55 billion and that the proposed financial aid increases would take up a relatively small portion of the state's spending.
Parisi said the number of students at UW-Madison from lower and middle income families has decreased in recent years.
""It would be a shame if the University of Wisconsin became a province of the well-to-do,"" he said.
Parisi also noted the balance between loans and grants has changed, with students taking out more loans than receiving grants and graduating with an average of $17,000 in debt.
According to Black, housing rates have also been rising because funds designated to renovate the dormitories are instead going towards financial aid. As a result, students end up paying for renovations in their housing fees.
Ren??e Stieve, legislative affairs director of the United Council of UW Students, hopes to see a great amount of grassroot organizing among students to support this bill.
Parisi agreed, saying, ""I would encourage all of the young people in the university system to get active themselves. Talk to your parents and friends at other schools.""
Kristi Thorson, assistant director of state relations in the chancellor's office, was present to show Chancellor John Wiley's support for the bill.
She noted that this was a statewide issue that would affect all students in the UW System needing financial aid.
""It takes a sacrifice from people who have already benefited to benefit others,"" Parisi said.
Parisi and Black, both UW-Madison alumni, came from middle class backgrounds and spoke of how financial aid helped them achieve a higher education.
""I don't want to see the door that was opened to me be closed to future generations,"" Black said.
