Dear Student Body,
Welcome back to Sam! I hope everyone had a good break and got plenty of R&R.
At this time of the year, it’s popular to make a New Year’s Resolutions. Some of you may have already broken yours, and are looking for new ones. If you haven’t picked some out, allow me to suggest one:
Write your elected officials.
2007 is going to be a big year for Texas Higher Education. The Texas Legislature is already being flooded with bills regarding higher education. Everything from tax-free textbooks, to allowing universities to collect sales taxes, to athletic fees, and many other issues are already being addressed in Austin. Some of these issues are more complicated than others, and I’ll do my best to answer any questions students have about them.
But for the Texas Legislature to be able to help students, they need to hear from students. So after shelling out the big bucks for your new textbooks, pick up a pen and write your state representative and tell them about how textbook prices are out of control. Feeling the pain of the rising cost of education? Tell your story to somebody who can help change that. Want to help protect the university’s name? Write a letter to Rep. Lois Kolkhorst.
Want to extend the drinking hours in Huntsville? Write the Mayor and express your views. Would you like to see a shuttle system in Huntsville? The City Council has an email address you can write to.
The more student input that elected officials have, the better understanding they’ll have of issues that affect students the most. And that will make a world of difference when they vote on those issues this year.
I wish everyone a great semester and the best of luck in the New Year!