02/26/14
Students from the six Kansas Board of Regents universities and Topeka's Washburn University participated in the 2014 Higher Education Day Tuesday, Feb. 11. Student representatives advocated for the exemption of sales tax on required textbooks and continued the conversation about restoring state financial support for higher education.

"State support for higher learning has dwindled over the past few years, causing a heavier economic burden to the Kansas family," said Chris Roberts, chair of the Students' Advisory Committee and Student Government Association president at Fort Hays State University. "Because of the rising cost of higher learning, students are sacrificing course materials essential to their educational growth for basic living expenses."

Along with the rising cost of education, the required materials have also increased. According to the National Association of College Stores, textbook prices have increased 82 percent over the past decade. A sales tax elimination would help alleviate these rising costs and encourage students to purchase textbooks through their university rather than a third-party vendor.

"The success and accessibility of higher learning is directly tied to the success of the Kansas economy," Roberts said.

The university student representatives plan to continue their collaborative efforts by maintaining open communication with the Kansas Legislature through the completion of this Legislative term.