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Show PAGE 4 THE THUNDERBIRD TUESDAY JANUARY 20, 1987 LOBBY FOR TAX HIKE: OUR FUTURE IS AT STAKE At the risk of redundancy, a topic too important to let pass must be addressed: the future of our education and the costs thereof. It's a topic that begs addressing and begs action on the part of us all. The annual battle over the budget in the state legislature is now under way. It will prove to be a tough one. The proposal gives a high priority to education funding. Because the proposal calls for a tax increase to allow the current level of state service to continue while increasing support for educational programs, it faces severe opposition within the legislature, and in the public sector in general. Informal samplings of opinions within the Cedar City area indicate an overwhelming majority of the public opposes the tax increase. Exact figures range from 2 to against, to 6 to against. Either way, the overall prospect for the educational future seems bleak. Sen. Haze Hunter has said that he will conduct a random survey of approximately 10,000 people in Iron County. The opinions he receives will color his decision in the final vote. Similar measures are being taken throughout the state to determine the overall level of public support for a tax increase. While incomplete, the available data clearly shows that the tax increase is in serious trouble. We seldom hear of politicians who are willing to place feasible solutions above reelection prospects, yet Gov. Norm Bangerter has been willing to stick his neck out and suggest a tax increase. That he is willing to place himself in political jeopardy to focus attention on the educational crisis strongly calls for a support of his efforts. Now is the time to show that the student body of SUSC understands the problems at hand, and that we want action to be taken. Without a show of support for the governor, his suggested programs will be soundly defeated. If the only feedback from the people comes from those against the proposal, they will have a mandate allowing them to vote against the tax increase. We can be sure that those against tax increases and the budget proposal are writing letters and speaking to their legislators. If their mail and phone calls are overwhelmingly negative toward the increase, the vote is obvious. We cannot control the voting records of the legislature, but we may be able to influence it. It will be tragic if apathy kills this attempt to improve the quality of our education. Let's make our voices heard; contact your state senator andor representative immediately. A list of names and addresses is available in the ASSUSC offices in the Student Center. Your action now can ensure your future. 1 1 program done disservice by paper Bio-a- g ' Access' is a recurring column through which members of the campus community may address themselves to topics of concern andor interest. This week's column is by ELI CLARK, an assistant professor of biology. made? Furthermore, how could one make such a "forever part of the fading past" statement at the beginning of the article and then quote President Sherratt later on in the article, "additional funding will be sought if deemed necessary." The decision to cut the program was not President Sherratt's, and he is now questioning that decision with the hope Several years ago, a question frequently asked was Club?" Campus residents and of gaining additional insight by appointing two "What is the A-community citizens noticed students wearing blue investigating panels, including one of local producers. jackets embossed with "Southern Utah State College The bio-a- g program at SUSC is unique in that it Ag Club." They read about Farm Cleanup Days, contests, not only provides some of the knowledge needed Lamb Raffles, Horse Seminars, hayrides, and recognition banquets. A number of for productive agriculture, agribusiness and livestock seminars sponsored by the Ag Club were presented management, but also provides a major in the by business leaders and professors and included biological sciences. Many of the classes taught in such a variety of topics that nearly everyone could the agricultural core or listed as agricultural electives find something of interest. are basic biological classes, listed in our biology Today, however, because of the expanding department as animal science classes. The Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic agricultural programs at SUSC and the increased visibility from past activities, no longer do we hear Animals, for example, listed under Animal Science Club?" The Ag and intended for biology students with emphasis in the question, "What is the A-program at SUSC, though smaller than it was in the e AOs when as many as seven faculty taught (continued on page 8) more than 35 different classes, is certainly alive and functioning weli. In fact, over the past five years enrollment in agricultural classes has increased significantly. One would get a completely different idea by reading the feature article in last week's Thunderbird. Lack of interest in agriculture by The Thunderbird apologizes for any implication students was nof the reason for the administration's or inference that past allegedly poor proposal to curtail agriculture at SUSC. performances of the Valley Farm were due to any 1 986 is indeed "forever part of the fading past," failing by the Farm's previous management or but the hioag program is alive and well. It has been that any change in the management was due to recommended, for the sake of saving $30,000 in the either budget considerations or pressure from any budge'., to be discontinued next year. Further light source. There was no ml on the part of the has been cast upon this preliminary decision, newspaper or individual staff members to suggest however, and President Sherratt has wisely these instances and we regret any embarrassment or inconvenience that may have stemmed from appointed a Blue Ribbon Taskforce to reevaluate agriculture here. Why would the president appoint such inferences. any a taskforce if a final decision had already been G Kiss-A-P- ig I C THE STUDENT NEWS AND VIEWS OF SOUTHERN UTAH STATE VOLUME 81, NUMBER Editor Daisy Kramer Associate Editor Ann Hollinger Copy Editor Greg Prince Photo Editor Richard Engleman Sports Editor Greg Miles COLLEGE U CEDAR CITY UTAH 14 Entertainment Editor Paige White Senior Staff Writer Kris Johnson Production Manager Gavin McNeil Advertising Representative Kellie Jensen Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thundcrbird is published each Monday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated m any manner with rhe College's department of communication The views and opinions expressed in The 7 hundvrbirj are the opinions of the publication's individual writers and do not necessarily reflect Hie views and opinions of the institution faculty, staff or student body in general The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thundcrb.id as a single entity Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number Only the name will be printed Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges Letters must be submitted by noon Friday lor inclusion m the following weeks edition The Thundcrbird editorial and advertising ottices in SUSC Library 10J Mail at 9384, Cedar City, UT 84720 801) 7758 SL SC Box full-tim- Retired farm manager deserves an apology I I I |