There is no question our nation is going through a difficult time – and the economic troubles can be felt here on our campus.

I’ve talked to so many students who are having a difficult time making ends meet, working more than ever in a part time job – or maybe two or three part time jobs – and still trying to make it through school. It seems the cost of everything is going up – including the cost to go to college.

At last Friday’s University Board of Governors meeting, the Director of the Financial Aid office told us the two big problems are increases in tuition and decreases in financial aid available. It hurt to hear about my fellow students who work hard and who have done everything they can to make it but must go home because they and their families can’t afford to pay the bills.

The folks in the Financial Aid office are always available to help, but there is only so much they can do.

Last year, students made the commitment to invest in good professors and keeping professors here by supporting a pay increase and we said we understand our University has to grow. We were willing to make that investment.

I can promise you that I will be doing the job you elected me to do. Student Government will be active at the WV Legislature this year – asking for more money for WVU – so the burden isn’t so heavily on the backs of students and our families. We’re going to do everything we can. West Virginia is in a better economic condition than most other states – in part because of our energy resources. We need to showcase to the Legislature how valuable it is for them to increase their investment in the students, research, and good work of WVU.

But, after the 8.5 percent commitment in tuition increases we made last year, we need a commitment to increase financial assistance available for students.

I’m calling on the University leadership to make a pledge to not propose a tuition increase next academic year. I know a lot depends on state funding, but we should work in state government to increase funding for WVU – and we must understand that we all make sacrifices in difficult times.

We must always put students and their families first. When the price of everything is going up, many students just can’t pay the bills. More students are leaving halfway through the year because they can’t pay the tuition for the next semester.

We must do something to help students and families in a difficult time. I’m asking the University to join with us to help our families. It’s the right thing to do.