The cost of a good vocabulary

Staff Editorial

A number of words come to mind when Metro is told ­­— by the state — it has to pay back more money to the general fund than any other college during this financial crisis. Keep in mind: Metro already receives the least funding of any other college in the state. And, oh yeah, we have more students, too.

Absurd is one.

Backward may be another.

With tuition relatively low, enrollment requirements virtually nonexistent and the highest undergraduate population in the state, we’re sure you can think of a couple as well. You should be good with words — after all, this is college, right?

Apparently, the state legislature doesn’t seem to think so.

Western State College, CSU-Pueblo, Fort Lewis College, Adams State and Mesa State, now those are colleges. Institutions with promise. Great programs. Good students. Milk and honey flowing from the water fountains in the hallway.

Which is why the state gives them 60 percent more funding than Metro — a school that has opened its doors to the huddled masses yearning to be educated since its inception. We’re glad our lawmakers know their priorities.

Maybe you work full time and find Metro’s night classes convenient. Maybe you didn’t do so well in high school, decided against college right after high school but eventually chose Metro because it didn’t scrutinize your history. Maybe you live in the city and found Metro’s locale inviting. Maybe you’re living paycheck to paycheck and just couldn’t afford CU-Boulder. Maybe you’re a faculty member with Roadrunner ties who decided to come back to the college that gave your future so much promise.

Whatever the reason, if you’re here at this college, the state of Colorado doesn’t think you are worth as much as someone who is at any of those other colleges — institutions who received $30 million more with 5,000 fewer students.

Thinking of any words, yet?

In a completely unrelated piece of legislation — same-sex benefits for gay and lesbian employees of Colorado — Denver Sen. Jennifer Veiga told her colleagues there is never a wrong time to act on principle. We agree. And despite the economic downturn, every student must be funded equally.

Inequality — now, there’s a word.

But words can only do so much. Action is much more effective.

We applaud President Stephen Jordan for going to the Legislature. On March 9, Metro’s Student Government Assembly is going up the hill to take issue with the lack of funding, as well.
If you think your school, your education and your student body is worth more than the Legislature thinks it is, you should go with the SGA — teach those politicians some new words.
You should know some — after all, this is your college, right?