By Humera Gul, Live Wire Intern

MCC Students lined up at the Capital. Photo Courtesy by Humera Gul

Students from Manchester Community College (MCC) and President of the Student Government Association (SGA), Gordon Plouffe, spoke last Tuesday evening on February 24 about budget cuts at the Regions Meeting held in the Legislative Office building at the State Capital in Hartford. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is proposing budget cuts on higher education, which could impact colleges and universities to raise tuition or reduce how many people they employ.

Plouffe raised awareness to everyone when he shared his opinion on Malloy’s proposal. “As President of the Student Government Association, I need to express that increasing tuition and cutting the community college budget is going to have a negative impact on students,” said Plouffe.

Students gathered around the room wearing red t-shirts, having the color represent solidarity. Naomi Moussa from Cameroon was one of us. “It’s important that people who want to pursue a career and an education have the opportunity to – especially in the United States of America,” said Moussa.

Students argued and expressed their thoughts about how the cuts in long-term will have a negative impact on the state. “A vibrant future in the State of Connecticut depends to more students having access to higher education, not less students,” said Plouffe.

After Gordon’s speech, everyone in the room became emotional and as some of MCC Unites’ organizers (Brian Washington, Keyarra Forbes and Nadira Smith) and students went up to walk toward the front, many people clapped and applauded.

About 80 students singed up before to speak, students were from many different colleges. There were students representing other state and community colleges, including the University of Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern, Southern, and Western Connecticut State Universities.

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