Michigan’s new governor, Rick Snyder, proposed a lot of radical ideas to reduce statewide spending since he took office. One of the proposed areas to reduce funding is higher education which Michigan students, faculty and parents alike wondering how is this going to play out?

Almost every department at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has been urged to expect at least 20 percent decrease in their departmental budget. Tuition which was frozen for the 2010 to 2011 year will now be increased by a minimum of 6.9 percent in the fall semester, 2011 to 2012 year.

A small group of students protested this tuition increase right outside EMU’s Student Center building hoisting signs, yelling chants such as “you raise tuition, we raise hell” and more. After speaking with several students who were just enjoying their time in between classes something occurred. Not enough students knew what was going on. This is the same dilemma on various campuses as well.

Wither you know about this tuition increase and the radical budget cuts both on your respected campus or not, one thing is for certain. We all must brace ourselves for the tough road ahead. No matter what your opinion is about the governor or the current budget cuts we must be ready to adapt in already hard financial times. Easier words said than done, but if history has shown us anything, there’s always a bright light at the end of a dark tunnel.