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Show 5J Stoki T tmmM fr' 7 fit i- AtfH f -. 1 -v - I Protest Of Education Funds Cutback By Angelyn Nelson Chronicle Staff Writer University students marched to the State Capitol Tuesday in protest of the four per cent cutback of funds to higher education. Numbering between 200 and 250, the well-dessed group staged a silent protest march as an appeal to the people of Utah for greater as-sistence as-sistence to higher education. A small group left Social Hall Ave. for the police-escorted trek up State SK to the Capitol, but new recruits continually joined the ranks of the marchers. Executive Council members led the procession of poster-bearing students. stu-dents. Through a loud speaker one council member told sidewalk observers ob-servers "Education is for the rich" and "Utah ranks 49th in financial support to higher education" while other members passed out statements of purpose of the march. Representatives were present from campus organizations such as RHA, Greeks, Ji Beta, Lambda Delta Sigma, dorms, Freshman Cabinet, Chronicle and others. Support had been given the marchers from the student governments of all other state-supported universities and colleges. Carry Signs Signs bearing inscriptions like "Descalate the war on students" and "Cal, give us back our 4 per cent" were scattered throughout the protesting pro-testing students. "We are primarily concerned with the cutback to higher education," said ASUU President John Kesler as he trudged up the hill. "We want to make the people of Utah more aware of the problems of higher education. We just want to draw attention to the program." Marchers were greeted at the , Capitol steps by Acting Governor Clyde Miller. Kesler read a letter stating the protestors' purpose before presenting it to Miller. "We have appealed through formal channels for reconsideration of this action," read Kesler, "However, our plea was to no avail." "Students can no longer sit back and watch," he continued, "We as a state must improve our educational opportunities and preserve the public nature of education. A cutback in higher education is going in the wrong direction." Need Adequate Funds He added in order to build a responsible society, adequate funds for education must be made aavilable now. "The future of the state of Utah lies with the future of higher education," edu-cation," said Kesler. Miller, who accepted the letter for all Utahns, commended the students stu-dents for the concern they were showing about their education. He expressed ex-pressed admiration for the students' selection in "wise leadership" in ASUU officers and the orderly conduct of the marchers. Serious Consideration "I can assure you that this letter will get serious consideration," said Miller. Kesler later stated he didn't think the march would bring about a change but "there is always hope." Students don't blame University administration, "The State is to blame," said Lee Burham, ASUU presidential assistant, as he marched down the hill. "Most of the students realize that a raise in tuition is necessary now," said Burham. "It's been an ideal representation of the studentbody with such short notice," said Kesler of the march turnout. A policeman commented he was pleased in the orderdly manner in which students had conducted themselves. Led by ASUU, more than 200 students from the University of Utah, Utah State University, College of Eastern Utah, and College of Southern Utah Photo by Dennis Erskine marched on the capitol Tuesday afternoon in protest pro-test of cutback of state expenditures for higher education. |