I want to begin by thanking the university for bringing to light the concerns of the budget cuts; I want to also thank the ISU College Republicans for stepping up and giving both sides of the issue a voice.

As some know, students from Iowa State were sent to Des Moines to lobby the legislators to “stop the cuts.” What everyone is probably unaware of is the other side of this partisan issue. And yes, it is a partisan issue. Partisan is taking a side on an issue. It does not matter what side you take, partisan is merely showing bias. And that is what the self-acclaimed “non-partisan” ISU Ambassadors did with this event.

In an article written Monday, Rick Hanton stated that it was “not a partisan issue until Mr. Pals made it one.” In truth this became a partisan issue with original e-mail sent out by the director of the ISU Ambassadors, who are suppose to be acting in a “non-partisan manner,” or at least that is what it says on their website. I want to reiterate, this is not an issue of Republicans vs. Democrats, it is the fact that a “non-partisan” university organization is taking a side in a partisan issue.

Throughout this whole process I have continually been asked “why would I want to increase tuition.” The simple answer is I don’t. If students were going down to lobby against tuition hikes, then they were lobbying the wrong people. The legislature does not set our tuition price; that is the university’s job.

Rick also asked why they do not raise taxes more and that he would not mind more taxes. Well good for you Rick. The rest of us, however, already pay enough in taxes and understand the negative effect of them, but I highly encourage you send whatever you think is your “fair share” into the IRS. I am sure they will be happy to have your check.

Rick also wants me to stop “yelling” about the partisanship of the issue and realize the Ambassador’s and the administration are only trying to support the affordability of this university.

If this is the case then, why is the university wasting money in so many ways? $300,000 was spent to establish a rental book program and $50,000 for 11 solar powered trash compactors, in which we are planning on spending an additional $150,000 in the upcoming years.

These are just a couple of examples of how we can “trim” the university budget. The university is a government entity, of which is run extremely inefficiently, so there are countless ways the university could withstand budget cuts without raising our tuition.

We are living in tough times, and everyone knows it. We cannot withstand additional debt. Our country is broke and the $14 billion debt is proof. Every family in the country is finding ways to save money and it is about time the university does the same.