The Chart Online

SAGA questions College monetary requirements
Mandi Steele

International Editor

In the wake of Missouri Southern's recent tuition hike, several political science majors decided something needed to be done. About four weeks ago, a group of students got together and decided that they would form a club to lookout for students' pocketbooks when it came to college expenses. Students Advocating Government Awareness was the outcome. The SAGA club was just approved last week by Doug Carnahan, dean of students, and holds meetings at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the library s Seattle Roast Cafe.

"We want to make sure each student gets what they're paying for," said Andrew Girouard, sophomore political science major.

Girouard, along with Todd Rominger, sophomore political science major, Ryan Dexter, senior political science major, Leigh Babbit, senior history major, and Paul Rhymer, junior political science major, are all on the board that represents SAGA.

One of the group s major concerns is the tuition increase.

"It's 124 per credit hour where as you can go to SMS, and it's 128," Girouard said.

He doesn't understand why it is so high at Southern when the College is not even a university.

"My freshman year it was $70 a credit hour, now it's $124," he said. "That's ridiculous."

SAGA plans to start letter-writing campaigns to state senators and eventually travel to Jefferson City to fight for fair tuition and other student cost concerns. Other colleges like University of Missouri-Columbia and University of Missouri-Rolla have student organizations and lobbies that go to Jefferson City and speak out for tuition cuts, Girouard said.

"We want a voice," he said. "Missouri Southern doesn't have a voice. We're on the verge of being a university, so we, the students, actually need a voice."

Dr. Tom Simpson, associate professor of political science, is the advisor to SAGA.

"As a sponsor, I'm also trying to remind them of their academic role," he said.

He sees the SAGA member's efforts as playing right into what they're taught academically.

"They are literally trying to take the lessons they've learned in class and apply them in the world," Simpson said.

The tuition still continues to rise, said Girouard, even with all the Coca-Cola and Leggett and Platt endorsements. He wants to know why. The club intends to find out and has been looking over Southern's audit by the secretary of state.

It is not only the tuition SAGA cares about, but also parking fees, activity fees and the crosswalks. The Southern budget for the new crosswalk light planned is $250,000, said Girouard.

"We spoke to a security guard who said it's going to cost $100,000 to actually do it," he said. "Where's the other $150,000 going?"

Simpson said the SAGA member's initiative is "impressive."

"I think they're going to be very effective," he said.

Around 30 people are already members of SAGA. The membership fee is $10 a semester. Although most members are political science majors, any majors are welcome to join the club.

"We want everybody involved," said Girouard.