Students ask tuition hike limit By JOHN HARRINGTON Standard-Examiner Staff Students at Weber State College and other state-run institutions of higher learning are gearing for an attempt to persuad¢ the 1982 state legislature to limit tuition increases for resident students to 8 percent. According WSC siudent to Lori Memmott, body president, the legisJature, (lespite a formal request by the Board of Regents, rpught raise tuition rates 10 to 15 percent — faat coming on the heels of a 1981 15.5 percent hike. Ms. Memmott said Thursday from 3 tc 5 p.m. is the time allotted by the Jegislature for lobbying input concerning the tuition and other ‘ssues from ‘‘concerned students.’’ ‘“We need more than just concerned students,’’ she said. ‘“‘We need parents and those people who Say they are interested in the future of higher education to come to the legislature with us.’’ Ms. Memmott said students, faculty and the administration of WSC, Brady, including has President Rodney voiced strong for the 8 percent ceiling. support However, Ms. Memmott said she fears the legislature may have al- ready ‘“‘made up its mind’’ con- cerning tuition increases. ‘“They gave us 15 minutes for this issue. I think if they are going to have their decision made...why have us come? We vote for those people who are supposed to be re— us down there,’’ she Said. Last week, WSC Director of Administrative Services and College Relations Robert DeBoer said he will lobby for the 8 percent limit, the limit that was agreed upon by the regents. That increase would boost a fulltime resident student’s tuition an approximate $20 a quarter. Meanwhile, Ms. Memmott said she has turned her campus office into an organizational center and said she is taking calls from ‘‘anyone interested in helping.’’ A position sheet issued by Ms. Memmott raises four points. They argue for the limited tuition boost, claiming it’s to Utah’s long term benefit to keep higher education at as low a cost as possible to enhance the ‘‘Utah lifestyle.’’ Her information sheet alleges that middle-class students are har- dest hit by rising tutition and that constitutes ‘‘discrimination’’ against those students. Generally, middle income families qualify for less financial aid but frequently find it difficult to afford the cost of education, Ms. Memmott said. She also argues that the state’s colleges and universities ‘‘should be accessible to all.’’ She cites last year’s rate increase, adds the proposed 8 percent of this year, and compares the two-year combined 21.5 percent figure to inflation figures, which are running lower than the increases appear to justify, according to her fact sheet. Ms. Memmott said, while it may be an uphill battle, students statewide are hoping for support from many circles, enough support, she said, to keep education “‘affordable.”’ i