US Senate stumbles on student loan interest rate
The US Senate failed to move a measure that would seek to keep the interest rate for student loans from doubling! We need to ensure that Senators Kyl and McCain know that students are watching and want them to stand strong for students and families by voting to save the interest rate from doubling.
If Congress fails to act by July 1, 2012 the interest rate for Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans will double, rising to 6.8 percent. 7.4 million American students will see the interest rates on their student loans double, effectively raising the average cost of college by over $1,000 for millions of students and their families!
This issue is critical and now is the time to have your voice heard! Let your US Senators know that you are paying attention, and you don’t want them to play politics with student loan interest rates!
ASA is hiring an organizer in the Phoenix Area!
Help win real improvements in students’ lives! A non-profit student association seeks an organizer based in the Phoenix area. Applicants should have an activist background, strong verbal and written communication skills, and an interest in higher education and student issues. The ASA Organizer works closely with ASA Board Members, student government, and ASA statewide staff. The Organizer reports to the ASA Organizing Director. This person spends a majority of their time on their assigned campus. Please see the full announcement and instructions on how to apply here!
Don’t forget to update your voter registration!
Don’t forget to update your voter registration when you move out for the summer! You can update your registration here!
The semester is winding down, and many students are transitioning toward new housing for the summer and next semester. But don’t forget that there are important primary elections to vote in over the summer, and you must be registered at your current address to vote. In Arizona, many of the elections for Congress and the State Legislature are decided in the primary. The voter registration deadline for the summer primaries is July 30 and the elections are August 28.
Update your Arizona voter registration now to ensure the students’ voice is heard in these crucial primary elections! Click here now!
ASA is hiring a UA-based campus organizer
Help win real improvements in students’ lives! ASA seeks a University of Arizona campus organizer. Applicants should have an activist background, strong verbal and written communication skills, and an interest in higher education and student issues. The ASA UA Campus Organizer works closely with ASA Board Members, student government, and ASA statewide staff. The UA Campus Organizer reports to the ASA Organizing Director. This person spends a majority of their time on their assigned campus. For more information and how to apply, click here.
Student loan interest rates may double
On July 1, 2012, student loan interest rates for almost 8 million students will double from 3.4% to 6.8%. In this economy, we cannot double the interest rate on student loans.
The number of college students graduating with significant student loan debt at over $40,000 has tripled in the last decade. Heavy student loan debt has negative ramifications for individuals, families, and the economy.
Until the economy grows strong enough to improve the prospects of the millions of college loan borrowers across the country, Congress should do everything it can to help Americans obtain the higher education and training needed to stay competitive. Time is running out.
When time runs out on July 1, 2012, student loan interest rates will double for almost 8 million students. Without a new plan, they could pay on average $2,800 more on their subsidized Stafford student loans than they otherwise would. Students with the most need will pay an additional $5,000. Now is not the time.
Higher education in America continues to be vital for both individual success as well as the social and economic health of our country. Students and families are struggling to make ends meet and we Congress to act to keep a college education within reach by stopping interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans from doubling this July.
Tution Hearing Tonight
Tuition hearings are set for tonight on all campuses from 5-7 pm. This is a great opportunity to have your voice heard on this year’s tuition proposals. You can watch it online at http://www.azregents.edu or view it live at these locations:
Arizona State University – Tempe
Memorial Union, Alumni Lodge
Arizona State University – West
University Center Building, (UCB) La Sala Ballroom C
Arizona State University – Polytechnic
Student Union, Cooley Ballroom - B
Arizona State University – Downtown
Nursing & Health Innovation, Building 2, NHI2 Room 110
Northern Arizona University / Flagstaff
Extended Campuses/ AZUN Bldg; True Blue Conference Room, Building #16A, Room 201
Northern Arizona University / Yuma
Academic Complex, Room AC 108
The University of Arizona / Tucson
Student Union, Gallagher Theatre
The University of Arizona / Sierra Vista
Academic Technology Building,B153
The Quality Education & Jobs Act is here!
The Quality Education & Jobs Act, which will provide a real financial aid system for Arizona students, is finally here! But to get this historic measure passed, first we need to gather enough signatures to get it on the ballot in November. That’s where you can make a real difference by talking to fellow students and community members and getting them to sign the petition! E-mail info@azstudents to learn how you can get involved today!
More about the Quality Education & Jobs Act:
Next year, Prop 100, a temporary 1 cent sales tax ends, meaning that the state will need to once again cut $1 billion dollars from the universities and K-12 education resulting in even more drastic increases in tuition, more teacher lay offs, and even bigger class sizes. That’s why a grassroots initiative was formed to get a proposal on the ballot that will provide stable funding for K-12 and higher education, specifically scholarships for students so that we won’t be facing more cuts next year.
The Quality Education and Jobs Act will strengthen the state’s recovering economy and help schoolchildren and higher educations students statewide. The ballot measure, which asks voters to renew the one-cent sales tax in November, would do the following:
• Higher Education/Universities: Funds university merit and needs-based scholarships for university students, creates community college scholarships, invest in vocational and GED training, and funds university operations
• K-12: Protects school funding from legislative cuts, improve K-12 accountability by funding a system that gives immediate feedback about achievement to teachers and parents, and creates a K-12 performance-funding system
• Children: Restore KidsCare funding for children living under the poverty line and establishes a program to provide grants to reduce hunger, homelessness, family violence and child care
• Public Safety, Jobs & Transportation: Funds new road, rail and transport projects statewide to create jobs, aid commerce, improve safety and fund public safety officers
Students welcome Kaitlin Thompson as new NAU student regent
FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ - The Associated Students of Northern Arizona University (ASNAU), the Graduate Student Government of Northern Arizona University (GSG), and the Arizona Students’ Association welcome Kaitlin Thompson as the new student regent on the Arizona Board of Regents.
“We are so excited to have Kaitlin as the next Student Regent,” said NAU Student Body President Blaise Caudill. “We have full faith that Kaitlin will represent the student voice well on the Board of Regents.”
Thompson, a political science junior who expects to graduate in May and continue at NAU as a graduate student, was confirmed by the Arizona State Senate to serve a two-year term on the Board of Regents. Next, her appointment will go to the full Legislature for a vote and be confirmed.
If confirmed, Thompson’s term will begin in July when voting Student Regent William Holmes’ term ends. She will join ASU Student Regent Tyler Bower, who will step into the role of voting Student Regent.
Thompson’s experience includes working as an intern for the Governor’s office, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, serving as elections commissioner for the Associated students of NAU, and membership in the Blue Key National Honor Society.
Since September, ASNAU and GSG have conducted a rigorous search in order to forward the most qualified candidates. A search committee was formed that took on the task of reaching out to as many students, faculty members and stakeholders as possible. The most qualified candidates were forwarded to Governor Brewer, who then selected Kaitlin Thompson.
“I’m excited, and I’m going into it knowing it’s how important and serious this responsibility is,” Thompson said. “I’m excited to advocate for students, and I will work hard to ensure student voices are heard on the Board of Regents.”
Thompson said her main focuses on the Board will be graduations rates, textbooks and parking costs.
Tuition Hearing March 28
The Arizona Board of Regents is set to hold its public, interactive tuition hearing March 28 from 5-7 pm during a live video conference help on campuses all over the state. This your chance to have your voice heard about your universities tuition proposals, which will be voted on during the Regents meeting scheduled for April 5-6 at the University of Arizona. For more information and to see where the hearing is broadcast to your campus, please click here.
ASNAU and GSG forward Student Regent candidates to Governor
The Associated Students of Northern Arizona University (ASNAU) and the Graduate Student Government of Northern Arizona University (GSG), announced the finalists for the Student Regent to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), which were forwarded to Gov. Brewer.
Since September, ASNAU and GSG have conducted a rigorous search in order to forward the most qualified candidates. A search committee was formed that took on the task of reaching out to as many students, faculty members and stakeholders as possible.
The steering committee that oversaw this process included the following: Blaise Caudill, ASNAU Student Body President; Johan Bodaski, Graduate Student Body President; Jennifer Ginther, former regent; Dr. Rick Brandel, NAU Dean of Students; Brianna Gomez, Residence Hall Association President; and Robyn Nebrich, Executive Director of the Arizona Students’ Association.
The top three candidates in alphabetical order are: Ryan Lee, Kaitlin Thompson, and Rachel Young. All are students at Northern Arizona University.
House Appropriations Committee approved HB2675, but it’s not the end
After contentious debate and despite student leaders from the Arizona Students’ Association packing the hearing room today, the Arizona House Appropriations Committee dealt a blow to students and families Wednesday when it approved HB2675.
The debate became so contentious at times that members of the committee were officially told not to be hostile toward the student leaders who came to the Capitol to testify against HB2675. The Committee even voted down an amendment that would have exempted student veterans using the GI Bill from the mandatory tuition bill.
“Did we learn nothing from the mortgage bubble and are we leading Arizona toward a student loan bubble,” said Brendan Pantilione, an ASA director who testified against the bill. “Students already have skin in the game.”
The bill now goes to the full House for a vote.
“This bill does nothing to grow our economy, but just grows student debt,” said Dan Fitzgibbon, chairman of the Arizona Students’ Association. “We will continue to advocate to ensure that HB2675 and all bills like it are put to bed.”
Students to gather on campus Wednesday to urge the Legislature to ditch HB2675
WHAT: Students on campus Wednesday will hold events across the state that call on legislators at the Capitol to reject proposed legislation that would make it mandatory for all students to pay $2,000 a year toward school without using any public funds to cover it.
HB2675 will make it mandatory for all students to pay $2,000 a year toward school, but without using any public or private funds to cover this amount. This means students couldn’t use grants, university scholarships, or tuition waivers to cover this amount. The only exceptions for this are athletic scholarships and nationally competitive scholarships.
Since most of the students affected by the bill will be working to pay for school, students have made life-sized silhouettes that represent all who could not be there to call on legislators to ditch the bill. While the events are taking place, the Arizona House Higher Education, Innovation and Reform Committee will be hearing the bill. Student loan interest rates are set to double this July from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. This increase will cost the average borrower $2,800 in additional interest and about an additional $5,000 for those borrowing the maximum $23,000 over a 10-year repayment period
WHO: Students at ASU, NAU and the UA and life-sized silhouettes representing the students who couldn’t make it to the event because they are working to pay for school.
WHEN: NAU, Wednesday at 12 pm
UA, Wednesday at 10 am
ASU, Wednesday at 10 am
WHERE: NAU, at Pedway by the Student Union
UA, on the Mall by Canyon Café
ASU, Cady Mall near the Memorial Union
VISUALS: Life-sized silhouettes that represent students who are affected by HB2675, but don’t have the time to attend the event or go to the Capitol because they are working to pay for their education.
Campus Kick Offs!
Campus Kick Offs!
The semester is in full swing and we’re set to hold exciting kick offs on campus across the state. Don’t miss this opportunity to start the semester off right and learn how you can get involved. Contact your campus organizer for more information.
UA: January 25 at 7 pm in the Catalina Room
Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
ASU: January 31 from 6 - 8 PM in the Turquoise Room of the MU
Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
NAU: January 26 at 7 pm in Havasupai A&B
Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Governor Brewer’s budget proposal
Governor Brewer released her budget for the universities. This year’s budget includes $15 million for performance-based funding according to the new funding model. An additional $15.3 million is to be given to ASU and NAU to develop course redesign for retention and recruitment of students. It breaks down to $12 million for ASU and $3.3 million for NAU. Still, community colleges in Arizona get $10 million for scholarships.
Universities have been cut by more than $400 million since 2008, and this budget provides only $30 million. To read more click here and go to page 17.
Start of the Legislative Session
Governor Jan Brewer gave her State of the State address today to kick off the legislative session and Arizona’s 100th birthday.
The Governor’s speech focused on the best uses for the current budget surplus and her desire to pay down debts and buy back the leased government buildings. ASA applauds the Governor’s commitment to jolting job growth and paying down Arizona’s debts. Students see the budget surplus as an opportunity to pay the budget rollovers sustained by the universities and pay off some of that debt. Education drives economic growth. Eighty percent of the fastest growing jobs in America demand training above a high school level. Current estimates show America needs 22 million more degrees by 2018; however, we are on pace to be 3 million short because of high college costs.
We look forward to a productive session working with the Governor and the Legislature to move higher education forward.
Legislative Session starts next week!
The AZ Legislature is back in session next week and we’re gearing up for another great year. Here’s a video that focuses on the work we have done for students and families down at the capitol.
ASA Spring Internships
Are you looking for a great way to get involved next semester and work on the issues that matter to students? Well then, you’re in luck. ASA has campus-based internships that focus on advocacy, organizing and leadership development! We are looking for students interested in public outreach, professional development, and the chance to gain real experience in the political arena, all while earning course credit.
If you’re interested in getting involved on campus, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) today!
Student leaders delivered 2,607 statements of support urging Sen. Kyl to Save Pell Wednesday!
Students from across the state delivered more than 2,500 statements of support to Sen. Kyl and the Super Committee in Washington calling on them to save the Pell Grant and federal student loans. To see pictures of the event click here. Along with the 2,607 statements of support, student leaders also delivered a letter of support signed by university and community college student body presidents urging Sen Kyl to stand strong for students and families and support the Pell Grant.
If these cuts are realized, students and families will lose out on thousands of dollars of Pell Grants and be burdened with more interest and shorter grace periods on federal loans. The price of tuition has already risen more than 90 percent – students and families can’t afford any more cuts.
But it’s not over yet. If you haven’t already signed the statement of support, do it now by clicking here.
And check out this video created by a talented ASA intern of our press conference at Sen. Kyl’s office http://bit.ly/tc9ukl
Thank you to everyone who gathered signatures and came to the event on Friday. The dedication shown by students on this issue is proof of how important this issue is.
Spring Internships
Communications Internship
ASA is seeking applicants for its spring semester communications internship. The ASA communications intern will work toward media relations, photo and video production and leadership development. Click here for more information and click here to view the application.
Are you sick of being ripped off by textbook publishers?
The Student Public Interest Research Groups, A D.C.-based advocacy organization, released a startling report on out-of-control textbook costs. The report found that seven out of ten undergraduates have not bought a textbook because the price was too high!
The report found that textbook prices increased 22 percent over the last four years, which is quadruple inflation. Students should expect to spend $1,137 annually on textbooks and other course materials, the report shows. The GAO estimates textbook costs are comparable to 26 percent of tuition at state universities and 72 percent at community colleges.
Are you sick of being ripped off by textbook publishers? If so, now is your opportunity to get involved and hold textbook accountable. ASA is planning actions all over the state that will help alleviate the burden of ridiculous textbook costs.
Contact your campus organizer and get involved on your campus:
NAU: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
ASU: Tempe: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
ASU West, Poly and Downtown: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
UA: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
ABOR August meeting recap
At the Arizona Board of Regents’ Meeting last week, the Regents discussed budget transparency, performance funding and the UA presidential search, among other things. Below is a brief recap of last week’s meeting.
Budget Transparency
• The universities will share their budget information with the Regents, instead of just sharing what were called “arbitrary forms” that don’t give an accurate picture of university budgets.
• This arose from the need to show the Legislature that ABOR and the universities are living up to their commitment to slash $100 million in funding and to increase budget transparency.
• Regent DuVal and ABOR staff will work on implementing a new reporting system for the universities’ budgets that accurately portrays how money is spent and where cuts were made. ABOR set a tentative work-study meeting for September 1, 2011 to workout the details. Regents were told that the university budgets are $3.761 billion, which is comprised of $1.75 billion from tuition and fees.
Performance Funding
• Regents are making progress on their plan to tie university funding to performance. ABOR will present the model to the Legislature in October. It was agreed that ABOR will present a plan to the legislature that proposes funding universities with a base amount and then add more funding based on performance.
• Projects are funded with student fees.
Presidential Search
• The Regents approved a search committee for the new president of the UA. The 23-member committee includes James Allen, Regent Holmes, Regent Bowyer, university stakeholders and community members. The first meeting of the committee will be in mid-August and the entire process is expected to last a year.
ABOR recap
Here is a brief recap of the top news from today’s Regents meeting. Regents voted today to extend the contract of ASU president Michael Crow until 2017. However, Crow won’t see a raise this year to his $475,000 annual salary. Crow was also set to receive a $600,000 bonus this year, but opted not to take the money from the ASU Foundation and have that commitment rolled into his new contract. Additionally, the regents voted to approve the contract extension of UA Men’s Basketball coach Sean Miller, whose base pay is now $2.1 million. Miller is now the highest paid state employee.
ABOR also voted to adopt a set of new metrics to gauge the success of the Arizona Universities as part of the Arizona Higher Education Enterprise and the 2020 Vision strategic plan. These metrics include increasing baccalaureate degrees by 50 percent, community college transfer graduates by 13,000 to 30 percent and masters degrees awarded by 24 percent.
The Regents approved new student service facilities at ASU Poly and ASU West Campuses today. Theses facilities include residence and dinning halls.
CASL Flyer
Check out the flyer for CASL 2011 by clicking here.
By providing a venue for both learning and leading, the Conference of Arizona Student Leaders is a truly unique opportunity. Students at the Conference will have an opportunity to grow as individuals and as leaders of a community larger than themselves.
Stay up to date with information about CASL at http://azstudentleaders.org
Planning for CASL is moving forward
Save the date for the second annual Conference of Arizona Student Leaders (CASL) October 14th - 16th.The conference is a venue for student leaders from all of Arizona’s universities and community colleges to come together. CASL is really two conferences in one: a leadership training conference and a statewide leadership summit. For more information please visit http://azstudentleaders.org/.
The Arizona Legislature votes to cut universities by $198 million
The Arizona Legislature passed a budget Friday that seeks to cut university budgets by $198 million after a marathon session that lasted overnight.
After intense lobbying by students, the $235 million budget cuts to our universities originally proposed by the State Senate were rejected, but the cuts are still more than the $170 million proposed by Gov. Jan Brewer. The governor will sign the budget proposal into law in the near future.
The Arizona Students’ Association was down at the Capitol day and night to protect and defend students from these budget cuts. ASA also ensured the Arizona Financial Aid Trust (AFAT), which is the state sole form of state-based aid, will not be permanently defunded.
These cuts will have a real impact on students. Students and families will be forced to pay more than their fair share for their education, class sizes will go up and many faculty members will lose their jobs.
Still, ASA will continue to work to ensure that higher education is accessible and affordable and that the state legislature prioritizes higher education.
To see how the total $1.1 billion budget cut affects other aspects of Arizona, check out this article from the Arizona Republic.
Senate’s budget proposal seeks to slash $235 million from universities
The State Senate is trying to push through a budget today that will slash university budgets by $235 million, $65 million more than the budget proposed by Governor Brewer. This means ASU will be cut $107 million, UA will be cut $92 million, and NAU will be cut $36 million.
Students and families are already being forced to pay more than they can afford. Whenever the legislature slashes university budgets, students shoulder the burden with higher tuition. Tuition has already risen 63 percent in the past three years alone.
Every dollar over $100 million in cuts will come directly out of students’ pockets, according to the Arizona Board of Regents.
Community colleges were not spared either. The budget proposal seeks to eliminate $72 million from community college budgets. That brinks the total cut to all higher education in Arizona to $308 million.
This is the time we need you most! E-mail your legislator and let them know how budget cuts and rising tuition will affect you. Follow this link and e-mail your State Senator and tell them how higher education cuts will affect you - http://tinyurl.com/Stop-Higher-Ed-Cuts
Tell them to remember that for every dollar Arizona invests in higher education, there is an eight-dollar return. Arizona needs to graduate more highly qualified students to contribute to our economic recovery, but these proposed cuts seriously limit students from attaining a college education.
ASA Reaction to Governor Brewer’s Budget Proposal
Governor Brewer released her Fiscal Year 2012 budget Friday, which included a $170 million proposed cuts to the university system. The Arizona Students’ Association, which is the statewide voice for students at the three universities responded Tuesday with apprehension on the potential impact this could have on Arizona’s students and families.
“I have seen tuition increase 63 percent since I started just three years ago,” said ASA Board Chair Elma Delic. “This means my parents and I have had to come up with an additional $2,700 this year alone, this is something we didn’t plan for when I decided to attend the University of Arizona.”
This latest proposed cut comes after three years of reductions in state appropriations that have resulted in an overall loss of 46 percent of funding per student since 2008, according to the Arizona Board of Regents.
“These cuts have resulted in dramatic increases to tuition and fees, and with the newest proposed cuts we are worried about the impact this will have on the affordability and accessibility of a higher education,“Delic said.
ASA is continuing to advocate for students at the Capitol and at the Arizona Board of Regents and will be hosting a Lobby Conference the first weekend in February and will have its annual Day at the State Capitol February 16.
ABOR to honor ASA’ service to higher education
The Arizona Students’ Association was informed today that it will receive the 2011 Regents Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education.
The Board of Regents told ASA that it was nominated by current and former student regents, then recommended by the Regents Award Selection Committee and voted on by the entire board.
The nomination letter, signed by current and former regents, highlights ASA’s more than 35 years of commitment to advocating on behalf of Arizona’s current and former university students.
“There are few organizations that have had the same time-tested commitment to the university system, its mission, and its students,” the nomination letter said.
The award was created in 1996 to recognize groups or individuals who make important and lasting contributions to the higher education system in Arizona. ASA will receive its honor February 17, 2011 at an awards dinner held at ASU.
ASA’s board and staff are greatly honored to be nominated for the award. The association would like to thank those involved in the nomination process and everyone who works tirelessly to ensure affordable and quality higher education.
Check out ASA’s Nomination Letter from Student Regents And the Official Notice of Award.pdf
Three Student Regent finalists move forward for approval by Governor Brewer
Governor Brewer will make her appointment by spring of 2011 with final approval by the Arizona State Senate. The term for ASU’s new Student Regent will begin July 1, 2011 and he or she will serve through June 30, 2013.
The three finalists were selected from a pool of highly-qualified candidates. ASA’s Board would like to thank everyone who showed interest in becoming the new Student Regent for 2011.
Here is the full list of the Student Regent Finalists:
Ben Henderson received a baccalaureate degree from ASU and is a current graduate student in public administration at ASU.
Erin Hertzog is a former student body president of the University of Arizona and a current student at the Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law at ASU
Andres Cano is an undergraduate studying broadcast journalism at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
Textbook Day of Action
In response to growing concerns about the high price of college textbooks, which cost students an average of $900 per year, and the recent enactment of federal legislation, the Arizona Students’ Association is working with the National Make Textbooks Affordable Campaign to organize a Statewide Day of Action designed to educate faculty about low cost alternatives called open textbooks. The most promising solution emerging to the textbooks price crisis, open textbooks are high-quality, peer reviewed textbooks that are available for free online and can be printed for as little as $20. On Thursday, October 21st, student leaders will meet face-to-face with professors to tell them about open textbooks and ask them to consider using them in their classes.
For more information on the National Make Textbooks Affordable Campaign.
ASU Tempe Wins Vote Trophy
ASU Tempe won ASA’s first ever vote trophy for their work on ensuring that students were engaged this election cycle. ASU Tempe registered over 1,300 students to vote, had over 550 people use their early polling location, and had nearly 5,000 student pledge to vote in this year’s election. The trophy will remain with ASU Tempe until the next election cycle.
Abby Henderson, an ASA Board Member from ASU Tempe, and Devon Mills, a student organizer at ASU Tempe, were present to accept the trophy.
Students Text and Tweet as Part of a Statewide Coalition to Save Vital Programs
ASA Chair Launches Blog
ASA’s work helped to save students nearly $6 million dollars on Textbooks
Find your Polling Place for Prop 100
ASA’s Vote Bill (HB2668) passes the Senate Education Accountability and Reform Committee Unanimously
William Holmes Just Confirmed by Senate Education Accountability & Reform Committee
Significant Turnout at the Arizona Board of Regents Tuition Hearing
Over 500 Arizona students, parents, and university staff showed their dedication to higher education and made it clear that they wanted their voices heard last night at the Arizona Board of Regents Tuition Hearings at each university throughout the state. The Tuition Hearing was an opportunity for students to voice their opinions about the proposed tuition and fee increases happening at all three state universities. This hearing comes just a week before the Arizona Board of Regents Tuition Setting in Tucson on March 11th when the Board will vote on the largest increases to tuition EVER proposed in Arizona’s history.
New York Times Coverage
ABC 15 Coverage
State Press Coverage
Student Regent Finalists Sent to the Governor
Taylor Bell, a first year law student at UA?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s James E. Rogers College of Law, has a wide range of experience in the political process, spanning from student government to the U.S. Congress. In June 2007, Bell left his position as Staff Assistant in the district office of U.S. Rep. John Shadegg to help out a distant relative on a new venture. That relative was cousin and then-State Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, and the new venture was a campaign for Arizona?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s First Congressional District. Bell worked as Exploratory Committee Director and Research Director for Kirkpatrick?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s winning campaign. In addition to his political activity in Arizona, Bell was a Student Senator at his alma mater, Biola University in La Mirada, CA.
In addition to his service on the current ASA Board of Directors, William Holmes has been serving students since he first arrived at UA. He represents UA students in the UA Faculty Senate and UA Hearing Board, which advises the UA?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Vice President of Student Affairs. As an ASA intern in the past academic year, Holmes coordinated voter registration, education, and mobilization efforts, along with playing a leading role in lobbying on behalf of the students?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ tuition proposal. Holmes is the Campus Involvement Chair for the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and provides caregiver services for a quadriplegic UA student.
Cheyenne Walsh possesses a depth of governmental experience that is as diverse as it is extensive. In her final undergraduate semester at UA, Walsh worked as a Research Intern for the Government and Transportation Committees of the Arizona State Senate. As a Legislative Associate with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, she advocated for, and negotiated on behalf of, Arizona?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s 90 municipalities - while completing her Master of Public Administration at ASU, with a 4.0 GPA. Walsh has also served on the Governor?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Task Force on Affordable Housing and chaired the Governors?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ Traffic Safety Advisory Council Legislative Subcommittee. She is currently a first year law student at the James E. Rogers College of Law.
Governor Jan Brewer will appoint a new student regent to be confirmed by the Arizona State Senate. The new regent will take office in July 2010.
To read about the current student regents, please visit our student regent page.
ASU’s Textbook Day of Action
Come for cost-saving tips. We’ll also use this day to meet one-on-one with professors and have them pledge to consider Open Source and affordable textbooks for students.
“Textbook prices are increasingly contributing to the growing lack of affordable education. The average student will spend nearly $900 each year on textbooks, and textbook prices have risen at twice the annual rate of inflation over the last two decades.”
http://azstudents.org/issues/textbooks/
Buy Used
The internet has made everything easier. Look up which books you need as soon as they are available and visit used book websites to get textbooks at up to a 90 percent discount! Shop around, as different websites will offer different prices. Websites like CampusBookSwap.Org can match you with the book you need from someone right on campus.
Recommended websites:
http://www.campusbookswap.org
http://www.alibris.com
http://www.half.com
There are plenty of other websites out there, so if these don’t work out, get searching! A little bit of work now will all be worth it next time you check your bank statement.
Consider Renting
You may not use the book next semester, so why not consider renting? Many websites will allow you to rent textbooks at lower prices.
Sell Your Used Books
Remember when you searched for the cheapest textbooks to buy for next semester? Now do the opposite! Websites like Alibris.Com may pay more money for your textbooks than the campus bookstore.
Open Source
Talk to your professors about using Open Source textbooks, which are just like run-of-the-mill textbooks (developed, edited, and peer-reviewed by leading experts) except with a twist: they are available for free online!
Shop Early, Buy Used
The Bookstore offers a limited quantity of used books that you may buy if you shop early. Sure, they might have some extra wear, but you’ll save some money and get the same educational benefits.
Consider Renting
You may not use the book next semester, so why not consider renting? The bookstore has a textbook rental program that can save you money.
Return Unused Books, but Hurry!
On the first day of classes, make sure you ask your professor if the assigned reading materials are required. If not, the ASU Bookstore will give you a full refund for your textbook during the first two weeks of classes. Unfortunately, book vendors other than the ASU Bookstore cannot offer this value.
Sell Books Back
At the end of the semester, the ASU Bookstore has a textbook buy-back program that may help curb some of the high costs of textbooks. Do not sell them back too early in the semester because the Bookstore might not know whether they can sell the book again next year and offer you a lower price.
Welcome to the ASA Blog!
We’re building a new blog for the ASA. Please be patient while we work out the kinks. Shouldn’t be long now.