The Association of Michigan Universities, or AMU, began a letter-writing campaign in November to urge students to voice their concerns about higher education funding during the state's $920 million budget woes.
AMU spokeswoman Sara Neitzke said it only takes community members a few minutes online to help colleges avoid future tuition hikes by contacting legislators.
"The letter-writing campaign is a way to incorporate students, parents, professors and administrators for the worthy cause of higher education," Neitzke said.
By going to www.helphighered.org, people can e-mail their legislators and tell him or her that higher education is important, Neitzke said.
On the Web site, people can enter their ZIP codes and fill out blank forms before sending e-mails to officials who have a direct hand in deciding how the $38.6 billion state budget is trimmed.
All of AMU's 15 public universities are getting involved, Neitzke said. More than 2,000 letters already have been composed.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, House Speaker Rick Johnson, R-LeRoy, Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, and local leaders all will receive copies of the letter, she said.
The organization aims to have more than 10,000 letters composed before the campaign ends on Nov. 30, Neitzke said.
Academic Assembly Chairperson Jared English said ASMSU sponsored a letter-writing campaign last month as one way MSU's undergraduate student government plans to voice concerns to government officials about the quality of higher education.
"We want to get the message out to make sure government legislators know our perspective," English said.
MSU lost about $33 million in state funding for a total budget shortfall of $60 million. In response, MSU officials cut $31 million from its budget, raised tuition 9.9 percent, eliminated 110 staff positions, canceled 15 academic programs and froze 16 other programs.
ASMSU representatives also will attend a Dec. 4 rally on the steps of the Capitol building to create awareness of the importance of higher education.
Neitzke said legislators already have responded well to the written feedback.
