Last Thursday, the Student Government Association overwhelmingly approved a recommendation for an increase in student fees to cover the cost of travel studies. Few will argue that this having the opportunity to study abroad is both life changing and beneficial to your career no matter the profession. But we can’t focus on the future when it’s the present that is giving us the most headaches. Add this fee to recent years’ yearbook, athletics, programs and facilities fees, and you will see why.

The UT Board of Trustees members have continued to rubber-stamp any fee increase that crosses their desk, and we know this fee will likely be approved as well. Even though only a select group will benefit while everyone pays in to the account, we understand the benefits.

College costs continue to rise, and it does little good to complain. But all this time while students are bearing the brunt of these costs, the state legislature has refused to give any additional funding to Tennessee’s higher education system.

A 2002 trip and to the state capitol and “bake sale for higher education” was for the most part ignored. Even the then governor Don Sundquist commented that the group “raised more [for higher education] than the state legislature had all year.”

Year after year, the cuts continue to roll back opportunities for students. Year after year, someone proposes an end-of-pipe solution to tack on another fee. Even further hikes are on the horizon, currently being deliberated behind closed doors before they see the light of day.

The “silent majority” that see our plight cannot stay silent for too much longer. When will too much really be too much?