Last Tuesday at noon, Alaskans gathered outside the Capitol with a loud and clear message to the legislature: the University of Alaska is important to all Alaskans.

The House Finance Subcommittee moved forward roughly $50 million in cuts from the budget proposed by the UA Board of Regents. The budget sent to the House Finance Committee included funding for student instruction and the bare minimum for research. That could lead to a huge loss in generated income from mainly federal grants.

The Coalition of Student Leaders invited members of the statewide community to join this positive, uplifting and respectful movement. Participants wore blue to show their support.

The Coalition of Student Leaders is a non-partisan coalition made up of students from across the University system who believe in the power of higher education for the State of Alaska.