Thursday’s town-hall style meeting on tuition lent insight into how tuition increases are determined, but had a poor student turnout. Many students may have made excuses not to go, but if they did not go, they have no right to complain. Just as it is with voting, one only gains the right to complain if they take action and initiative to change something.  

This low participation does not make the point students want to make with the administration.  It only tells the administration that students don’t care, don’t believe they have a voice or that every thing is fine.  This doubtfully represents the tuition-payers community.

Students always harp on the government and administration to be transparent and be held accountable for their actions.  This does not mean making misinformed, lazy statements after something goes wrong.  This means following the administration’s actions and staying informed. Only by knowing the facts can students know the truth.

There is only one solution to this problem: empowerment.  Students cannot expect the tuition changes, good or bad, to reflect their feelings if they do not go out and tell someone.  The chancellor and Student Government have made the motions to call students out, now it is the students’ turn to answer the call. Students should get involved by asking questions and demanding answers when something doesn’t seem right. Go to Student Government meetings or read the minutes and e-mail your answers. The chancellor, Interim Provost Warwick Arden and Patrick Devore, the chair of the Student Government Tuition and Fees committee, should be available for questions. If there is something not provided, demand the answers and services to make it right, or demand a reason why they cannot. If students have solutions, make sure they are known.  You cannot say you were not listened to if you never speak out.

The lacking student turnout does not say, ‘I don’t have a voice,’ it says, ‘I don’t care to have a voice.’ Finding a voice starts with empowerment. This is the beginning of making decisions, and decisions are the beginning of change.  Students are in charge of making their own decisions, but things are not going to come together without staying informed or making a stand. Next time there is a problem with the administration or something doesn’t seem right, be informed and speak out. Don’t hang back and make gross assumptions that don’t help make the situation better.