Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Students to legislators: More aid, please

By KJ LANG / La Crosse Tribune

Western Technical College student Gao Yang’s daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia when she was 2 years old. Yang is trying to pay medical bills, care for her child, and balance school and work. She asked state legislators for help with more financial aid.

Ron Vauk, a Western student and Vietnam War veteran, said several things contributed to his decision to go back to school later in life, including the Wisconsin GI Bill, a tuition-remission program for veterans. He urged legislators to continue to support it.

These students were just two who were at Western Technical College on Monday, where legislators — including Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, Rep. Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-

La Crosse, Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, and Rep. Lee Nerison, R-Westby — received feedback on student and other issues.

Many students are working full time and have families while attending school, said Dan Clancy, Wisconsin Technical College System president. He asked legislators to consider increasing state financial aid as much as possible.

The numbers of jobs that require more than a high school diploma and less than a four-year degree are growing as the baby boomer generation retires, said Clancy.

Legislators talked about the importance of technical colleges being at the forefront of economic needs because of the close relationships they form with employers.

Shilling praised the technical colleges for being so “quick and nimble,” adapting to changing workforce trends and responding quickly to worker shortages.

“We consistently face challenges as far as putting additional dollars into programs. That is why I think these meetings are important,” Huebsch said. “It brings to the forefront the value of the technical schools, the value of the education you provide and the bellwether you are for our economy.”

Gary Brown, associate dean of business at Western, was concerned about funding for technical colleges. “Frankly, if you look at the downturn in state aid, the pressure is being put more on the students with higher tuition and property tax rates. You can’t keep going down that road and continue to provide the services that we do.”

KJ Lang can be reached at (608) 791-8226 or klang@lacrossetribune.com.