The lack of response given to the thousands of students’ pleas to end cuts against higher education has only amplified their voice and expanded their mobilization. In hopes to finally be heard by elected officials, students across Louisiana have organized a joint-rally to halt any further cuts to the higher education system. Thousands of students, faculty and community members will assemble on the steps of the State Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. on Wednesday, Nov. 10th from 11:30am- 1:30pm.

This rally aims to raise awareness of the budget cut devastation and draw attention to the importance of prioritizing education. The group organizing the rally, Education NOW!, is composed of student leaders from Link for Literacy of UL Lafayette, Save UNO, Proud Students of LSU, Stand Up of Nicholls State University, Save SELU, as well as several others that have held rallies on campuses across the state earlier this year. Education NOW! is combining their efforts to reach out to a larger audience than their individual campuses, and show how every public university and every person in our state is affected.

We thought having rallies on our campus would send a strong enough message, but after the recent mid year proposal to cut millions more from higher education we knew something much bigger than us had to happen.

Already feeling the severity of the cuts against higher education since 2008, students are taking a united stand against Governor Bobby Jindal’s plan to nearly double the cuts in 2011. Bobby Jindal is clearly not concerned about the future of Louisiana and refuses to find other ways to handle the states deficit. His idea of bringing jobs and wealth into the state is giving tax breaks to huge corporations that will pollute our waterways even more and campaigning out of the state. In the meanwhile universities are struggling with the reduced funding, and will soon be forced to face the realities of resource and department losses, mass faculty layoffs, the possibility of losing accreditation or in some cases closing their doors.

If we sit back and allow these budget cuts to happen, we will pay far more for this in the future. Without viable higher education, students will look out of state for college, becoming less likely to return to Louisiana and taking with them future jobs, employers, and the economy. To prevent instances such as these, the students rallying will show they value and will fight for a quality education.

The rally will begin and end with live music, and various speakers are scheduled throughout the event to present facts, concerns, and experiences. Everyone is invited and strongly encouraged to attend, as everyone is affected. Those participating are encouraged to wear their school’s colors. Neon Band-aids will also be worn to unite every school and to signify the cuts being made against the higher              education system.

Education NOW! stands strong to ensure that state legislators prioritize education. Failing to fund higher education is a failure in priorities. If education is not important to elected officials, then students deserve representatives who are willing to invest in the future.