The ASUU Senate recently passed a resolution unanimously supporting access to higher education for undocumented students in the state of Utah at in-state tuition rates.
This resolution is in response to proposed House Bill 7 in the Utah Legislature that would reverse the current law and require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition. It would affect 24 U students and 169 students statewide.
“(HB 7) is unnecessary. It comes out of bias and hateful feelings toward these students that are trying to get an education and better the community,” said Stephany Murguia, the representative from the College of Social and Behavioral Science who sponsored the resolution.
She added that the purpose of the resolution is to show moral support for the students who would be affected if the bill passes.
“We want to show these students that they are not alone in their quest for an education,” Murguia said.
The current law requires an undocumented student to attend Utah high schools for three years in good standing to receive in-state tuition.
“They are residents in everything but citizenship, and we shouldn’t take any privileges of residency away from them. We need to give these people the right to a college education, and I think that the Senate passing this resolution shows that the people elected to represent the student body of this university feel the same,” said Liz Clark, Senate chairwoman.
The U administration is also taking a stance against the bill.
Kim Wirthlin, vice president of government relations, said in a past Daily Utah Chronicle interview that maintaining the current tuition voucher is a high priority for the university.
The resolution will now go before the ASUU General Assembly.
The House Education Committee is reviewing the bill, and its members may make a recommendation, hold or table the current legislation.