In the city of Boston, MA there is only one public higher education institution and that is the Universtiy of Massachusetts at Boston. Due to the financial atmosphere of the times, the state is planning to cut 13% from the appropriations for this public univeristy. This cut in the financial assistance from the state causes a gap of $54 million in the schools budget. This comes on top of a rate hike just two years ago and the tuition and fees for Umass Boston have tripled since 2002. The Board of Trustees is waiting untill the student body has left for the summer to make this decision, this a group of business people appointed by the governor. These people have no interest in helping to further the education of others, they are only worried about the bottom line.

The student body of Umass Boston is extremely diverse, not just in ethnic backgrounds but also in age. This diversity along with the fact that it is a commuter school means most of the student body works. Not only do they work, but they work in low paying jobs for the most part, due to the demands of going to school. The fact that most of these people are just getting by,  is reason enough alone to stop the fee increase, but on top of that the wealthy 1% of Massachusetts residents only pay 4.8% in state and local taxes, while the rest of us pay 10%. We must reevaluate the priorities of the states importance of education and business. 

As the only public higher education institution in the city of Boston, is it not in the best interest of both local and state government to help raise the level of education amongst its populus. The more intelligent the constituents the better the overall atmosphere of the city and state.the only thing stopping us from changing how things are to how we want the to be is us. We are condemming our selves with our complacency.

We must stand up and act against the fee increases. We cannot allow the burden of weath to fall on those whom don't have any to spare. Stand up and raise your voices to support public higher education and against the rate increases that the government and board of trustees wishes to impose on those that are just trying to better themselves.