State Sen. Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville and State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Albany will pay a visit to Athens on Friday.
The duo will speak with students about both of their duties and explain their role of serving and supporting them.
This is the second time this week Phillips has traveled to Ohio University.
Phillips, an OU alumna, was in Athens this past Saturday to explain how university funding works. She also discussed the State Share of Instruction, or state funding for higher education, with David Cannon, vice chancellor for finance on the Board of Regents.
Only six students attended this past Saturday’s event, “Making Cents: The Financials of Higher Education.”
We are glad Phillips and the other speakers took time out of their busy schedules to dissect something as complex as funding higher education. As students, we need those with a thorough understanding of the information to turn it into bite-sized pieces that are easy for us to digest.
We just wish more students would give these public figures the time of day.
Students should care about how their education is funded, and based on past protests and grumbles about rising costs, we know there are more than six students out there who have qualms.
They should have questions about what they can do to help make college more affordable. Phillips, Gentile and others who spend time relaying information to students truly do care about our education, which is why they take the time to meet with us.
In June 2012, Phillips and State Rep. Kathleen Clyde, D-Kent, sent a letter to Gov. John Kasich urging him to exercise his line item veto over a provision contained in House Bill 487.
“As student loan debt tops $1 trillion throughout the nation, and students in Ohio average $27,000 in debt for a four year degree, we must do all we can to help make college affordable for all Ohioans,” the letter states. “As it stands, it is unclear if this policy change accomplishes this goal.”
This demonstrates how Phillips is taking steps to better the interests of students. We urge you to consider attending the presentation and do your part.
The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Amanda Cunningham Leadership Center in Baker University Center, and you can read more about it on our front page.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
