By Michael Kennedy

Students gathered in the Red Barn Thursday to e-mail their state senators and state representatives, urging them to not raise tuition.

Michael Walz, senior business management major, was one of the students who e-mailed his legislators. “I’ve written the President before, but not a legislator. I probably would have done it without the free pizza.” He commended the event on making it easier for him to contact his legislators.

The event, which occurs several times throughout the year, was hosted by the Student Government Association. SGA Director of External Relations Anna Ramsay was hoping for 150 students to “encourage the legislators to provide more funding to U of L in light of the budget cuts.”

Gov. Steve Beshear recently announced a three percent cut in university funding from the state for the rest of this fiscal year. Future cuts are expected.

SGA Services Vice President Rudy Spencer emphasized the importance of petitioning the Kentucky General Assembly. “They determine base funding…there is a direct correlation between funding and tuition.”

SGA Executive Vice President Kate Brueggemann was optimistic about the impact that the event would have. “I think it will absolutely make a difference,” she said. “This is something they’ll definitely pay attention to.”

In the previous Listen Up Legislators events, students could call, write or e-mail their legislators. This time, the SGA decided that using e-mail exclusively would not only be more cost effective, but would give the appearance of a greater number of messages. SGA President Brian Hoffman said, “What [legislators] really respond to is things in bulk.”

Tuition at U of L has increased each of the past five years.

For Akshay Mehrotra, a sophomore finance major, this was his first chance to contact his government. Having recently earned his citizenship, he was excited about the opportunity to become involved.

SGA is sending their student lobbyist group to Frankfort this Wednesday, and there will be three more Listen Up Legislators events, culminating with the Rally for Higher Education, in Frankfort, which is open to all students.