Students Rally Against College Tuition Increases
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – Scores of students from Florida's 11 public universities rallied in front of the old Capitol building in Tallahassee urging lawmakers to stop annual tuition increases.
They also spoke out against legislation that would give the governor the power to appoint the student representative on the board that oversees the universities.
That Board of Governors seat currently goes to the president of the Florida Student Government Association. It's now held by New College sophomore Mike Long, who led the rally.
Long said tuition has gone up 60 percent over the past four years while state support for the universities has dropped. He urged lawmakers to maintain state funding and tuition at current levels. Gov. Rick Scott has made the same recommendations.
On Thursday, U.S. Education Commissioner Arne Duncan held a town hall meeting at the Pembroke Pines Charter High School with students, parents and school officials to talk about the Obama administrations efforts to make college more affordable. Duncan also called on colleges and universities to do their part in containing costs.
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