The Yard
Emily Paige Ferguson
The March for Education
Students Mobilize to Protect Higher Education Funding
Emily Paige Ferguson
Dr. Mike Robinson, host of The Yard had the opportunity to conduct a Question and Answer with Emily Paige Ferguson, a Junior at Murray State University and one of the three major organizers of the upcoming March for Education in Frankfort, Kentucky. The March for Education will consist mostly of students from several of the colleges and universities in Kentucky, to include a number of community colleges. According to the planners of this historic gathering of students, parents, educators, and citizens, this is an opportunity to share their voices with Governor Matt Bevin regarding this proposed budget cuts to higher education and what funding reduction would mean to their institutions.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the purpose of the March for Education on Feb. 25, 2016?
Emily Paige Ferguson: The March for Education is a peaceful protest in Frankfort. The idea is to show Governor Matt Bevin and the Kentucky legislators that the college kids of Kentucky do not approve of the proposed budget cuts to higher education. We hope that by showing up en masse, we can persuade the legislators to revise the budget.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is your classification and Major?
Emily Paige Ferguson: I am a junior Creative Writing major at Murray State University
Dr. Mike Robinson: What specifically in Governor Bevins’ budget has students so galvanized?
Emily Paige Ferguson: The proposed budget cuts would cripple the university system as we know it. Colleges would have to make cuts immediately without knowing what the rubric will be for future performance-based funding, which will begin a vicious cycle. Underfunded programs will suffer, perform poorly, and therefore receive less funding in the future. Additionally, the premium Bevin places on STEM programs over the humanities is not a well thought out plan for a healthy, functioning society. Kentucky needs citizens with diverse educations and ways of thinking, not solely engineers.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Which universities and colleges will have student representation at the March?
Emily Paige Ferguson: Murray State University, Kentucky State, Northern Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, Morehead State University, University of Kentucky and University of Louisville will be in attendance, as well as some community colleges, potentially.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What can students, parents, alumni, faculty, college administrators and residents of the State of Kentucky do to support the March if they are unable to attend?
Emily Paige Ferguson: We've started a Go Fund Me account at https://www.gofundme.com/marchforeducation where those who'd like to help student drivers with gas money can donate. Anyone and everyone can continue to write to their legislators, which is a vital part of creating a sustained effort.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Are you receiving support from faculty and administrators on your campus? And are you hearing similar reports of support and encouragement from on other campuses from their faculty and administrators?
Emily Paige Ferguson: We've received an overwhelming amount of support from faculty and administrators at Murray, as well as all the other campuses we've spoken to. Everyone in the sphere of higher education recognizes how bad the proposed budget cuts would be for Kentucky, and they're proud of their students for standing up to defend their schools.
Dr. Mike Robinson: To what extent did the comments of Kentucky State University President Raymond Burse suggesting that KSU may struggle to survive the proposed cuts to higher education play in driving this March?
Emily Paige Ferguson: The plan for the march began at Murray State, but it could not have happened without the help of Kentucky State University (KSU). KSU potentially has the most to lose if this budget goes through, so they're backing us 100%. The passion of KSU students has galvanized our efforts and bolstered our numbers, and will make all the difference.
Dr. Mike Robinson: After the March what are the next steps?
Emily Paige Ferguson: After the march is over, we have to continue to write to our legislators and let them know we haven't forgotten what's happening. Keeping in communication with our elected officials is imperative to a strong, sustained effort.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the purpose of the March for Education on Feb. 25, 2016?
Emily Paige Ferguson: The March for Education is a peaceful protest in Frankfort. The idea is to show Governor Matt Bevin and the Kentucky legislators that the college kids of Kentucky do not approve of the proposed budget cuts to higher education. We hope that by showing up en masse, we can persuade the legislators to revise the budget.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is your classification and Major?
Emily Paige Ferguson: I am a junior Creative Writing major at Murray State University
Dr. Mike Robinson: What specifically in Governor Bevins’ budget has students so galvanized?
Emily Paige Ferguson: The proposed budget cuts would cripple the university system as we know it. Colleges would have to make cuts immediately without knowing what the rubric will be for future performance-based funding, which will begin a vicious cycle. Underfunded programs will suffer, perform poorly, and therefore receive less funding in the future. Additionally, the premium Bevin places on STEM programs over the humanities is not a well thought out plan for a healthy, functioning society. Kentucky needs citizens with diverse educations and ways of thinking, not solely engineers.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Which universities and colleges will have student representation at the March?
Emily Paige Ferguson: Murray State University, Kentucky State, Northern Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, Morehead State University, University of Kentucky and University of Louisville will be in attendance, as well as some community colleges, potentially.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What can students, parents, alumni, faculty, college administrators and residents of the State of Kentucky do to support the March if they are unable to attend?
Emily Paige Ferguson: We've started a Go Fund Me account at https://www.gofundme.com/marchforeducation where those who'd like to help student drivers with gas money can donate. Anyone and everyone can continue to write to their legislators, which is a vital part of creating a sustained effort.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Are you receiving support from faculty and administrators on your campus? And are you hearing similar reports of support and encouragement from on other campuses from their faculty and administrators?
Emily Paige Ferguson: We've received an overwhelming amount of support from faculty and administrators at Murray, as well as all the other campuses we've spoken to. Everyone in the sphere of higher education recognizes how bad the proposed budget cuts would be for Kentucky, and they're proud of their students for standing up to defend their schools.
Dr. Mike Robinson: To what extent did the comments of Kentucky State University President Raymond Burse suggesting that KSU may struggle to survive the proposed cuts to higher education play in driving this March?
Emily Paige Ferguson: The plan for the march began at Murray State, but it could not have happened without the help of Kentucky State University (KSU). KSU potentially has the most to lose if this budget goes through, so they're backing us 100%. The passion of KSU students has galvanized our efforts and bolstered our numbers, and will make all the difference.
Dr. Mike Robinson: After the March what are the next steps?
Emily Paige Ferguson: After the march is over, we have to continue to write to our legislators and let them know we haven't forgotten what's happening. Keeping in communication with our elected officials is imperative to a strong, sustained effort.