The Nevada Sagebrush

file photo /Nevada Sagebrush Students at the University of Nevada, Reno have rallied over budget cuts for years.

The Associated Students of the University of Nevada will hold a town hall meeting and a rally in response to a proposed 17.66 percent budget cut to higher education in Nevada.

The town hall meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Joe Crowley Student Union. ASUN officials  will present the budget figures announced by Gov. Brian Sandoval during Monday’s State of the State address, said ASUN Sen. Jonathan Moore. Moore and ASUN Director of Legislative Affairs Casey Stiteler will then explain the significance of the cuts.

Breakfast at 8 a.m. on Saturday will kick off a rally at the Joe Crowley Student Union. The event will continue on to the Washoe County Commission Chambers, where students can stand in and voice their opinion at a town hall meeting held by the Nevada Legislature’s leadership.

“Our goal is to bring as many students as possible to tell their stories, to bring up issues and potential solutions to the budget short,” said Charlie Jose, ASUN president.

The meeting, the third of its kind, will hear questions and comments from Nevada Legislative Bureau.

“It’s pretty open,” he said. “There’s not really a restriction to the questions as long as they relate to the budget.”

Attention to the events should increase with the disclosure of Sandoval’s budget plan Monday, Moore said.

“I think you’re going to hear more people interested in this after the State of the State address,” he said. “I think (students) are going to be slightly more interested after they hear the numbers.”

While the goal of the rally is to draw attention from the local media, and eventually the Nevada Legislature, the town hall aims to inform students on how to participate politically during this year’s Legislative session. The meeting will also clear up budgetary misconceptions, Moore said.

Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D – Sparks, will moderate the town hall meeting at the commission chambers, according to the meeting’s agenda.

Charter Communications cable Channel 217 will broadcast the meeting live.

Don Weinland can be reached at dweinland@nevadasagebrush.com.

➤ Town hall meeting: 7-10 p.m. Wednesday in Room 422 of the Joe Crowley Student Union.
➤ Student rally: 8 a.m. Saturday in front of The Joe. ASUN will provide transportation at 9 a.m. to the Washoe County Commission Chambers , 1001 E. Ninth St.

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