USF student, Brock Bjorn, waits for the bus to leave for the Capitol.
TAMPA, FL -
USF students say they deserve to have a say in the future of higher education. Dozens boarded a bus early Tuesday morning headed to Tallahassee as part of USF Day at the Capitol. USF student, Daniel Hamilton, plans to give legislators a piece of his mind.
"Do not raise our tuition," Hamilton said. "I want go graduate from a good school, be a good alumni, and contribute back."
He says a lot of his friends struggle to pay for college.
"I can barely afford dinner," Hamilton said. "I eat Ramen Noodles. It's tough. We don't want to ask our parents because they have a lot going on too."
Students are bringing post cards advertising the statewide initiative "Aim Higher." They're asking legislators to restore $300 million and invest $118 million for state universities in this year's state budget. If that happens state university presidents have said they will not raise tuition next year. Governor Rick Scott is trying to freeze tuition for the next year. Lawmakers will have the final decision next month.
"Every year I've been here tuition's gone up by double digits," student Abdool Aziz said.
USF day isn't just about asking for money.
"It's a day to showcase USF and tell people what we are about," student, Abdool Aziz, said. "We have a lot going for us and we want people to know that."
Students will also set up tables in the Capitol highlighting different areas of the USF System.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:17:02 GMT
St. Petersburg Police Officers have arrested three people for a home invasion and beating that left a 63-year-old woman in critical condition on Wednesday morning.
St. Petersburg Police Officers have arrested three people for a home invasion and beating that left a 63-year-old woman in critical condition on Wednesday morning.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:29 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:29:23 GMT
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Kmart has launched the latest in what appears to be an edgy string of commercials. In April, one of its commercial went viral for a play on words. Explaining the ease of shipping a product to a customer
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:12:48 GMT
The man who famously put down his Big Mac to help rescue three women held captive for a decade in an Ohio house will never have to pay for another burger in his hometown.
The man who famously put down his Big Mac to help rescue three women held captive for a decade in an Ohio house will never have to pay for another burger in his hometown.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:29 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:29:58 GMT
Federal forecasters are predicting yet another busy hurricane season. Thursday's outlook calls for 13 to 20 named storms, 7 to 11 that strengthen into hurricanes and 3 to 6 that become major hurricanes. The
Federal forecasters are predicting yet another busy hurricane season. Thursday's outlook calls for 13 to 20 named storms, 7 to 11 that strengthen into hurricanes and 3 to 6 that become major hurricanes. The
Leigh Spann joined WFLA in September, 2007. You can catch her forecasts every weekday morning starting at 4:30am. Since so many people ask, she says she wakes up at 2am and goes to bed at 7pm!
Leigh Spann joined WFLA in September, 2007. You can catch her forecasts every weekday morning starting at 4:30am. Since so many people ask, she says she wakes up at 2am and goes to bed at 7pm!
USF student, Brock Bjorn, waits for the bus to leave for the Capitol.
