An Eye On The State Capitol
During the Florida Legislative session from March 3 to May 1, Miami Dade College staff and students are advocating at the state capitol for crucial improvements to the College. Top on the agenda are increased funding for more programs at all campuses and expanded bachelor degree programs.
Victoria Hernandez, director of governmental affairs for MDC, is currently in Tallahassee championing for the College’s causes. This year Hernandez is lobbying for fair and equitable funding to support students.
“As enrollment increases, naturally cost also goes up and we want state funding so we won’t have to charge the students more,” Hernandez said. “We represent 17 percent of that 28 college system, so we believe that our share should be reflective of that number. The goal is to receive $100 million in funding, [for all 28 colleges] and MDC should get $17 million according to the earlier percentage.”
The current budget for Miami Dade College is $156 million. Overall, students pay 50 percent of the cost of instruction. Hernandez said MDC wants more funding from the state in order to keep that number from going up.
“There is need for a new funding model of performance, funding that will hopefully be fair and reflective of the College mission,” MDC President Eduardo J. Padrón said.
Padrón wants funding for the Wolfson Campus’ Idea Center, which encourages entrepreneurial and creative ideas, to have a more college-wide reach. He also wants the Emerging Technologies Center for the Americas at MDC, which supports robotics, animation/gaming, cyber security and analytics offerings, to expand. Padrón said these programs offer great opportunities for students and the community.
One issue the College is strongly against is a bill that would allow people with concealed-firearm licences to carry guns at state colleges.
Hernandez will update SGA members going to lobby in Tallahassee in April about how the legislative sessions progress.
“They will join thousands of other students to demonstrate support for MDC and all our state colleges, particularly for funding,” Padrón said. “I feel our students are our best champions and advocates.”
Those students will participate in workshops and have a chance to speak to legislators.
Noe Gonzalez, 20, an accounting major and governmental relations director for the Student Government Association at Homestead Campus will attend a rally in Tallahassee with SGA April 8-10.
“Our main purpose is to advocate issues and let students know we can make a change,” Gonzalez said.
