Higher education cuts bad for business

As a born and raised Cedar Rapidian, the University of Iowa has been the golden dome upon the hill where I have wanted to go since my first time visiting the university on our second grade class field trip. I wanted to be a Hawkeye. I wanted to bleed black and gold.

I'm happy to say I've realized that dream. I'm a sophomore studying economics and information systems and my time here has shown me that we have more to offer than Saturday mornings at Kinnick Stadium.

For the past 150 years, the University of Iowa has been a catalyst for research, business and growth that has propelled the State of Iowa to be stronger and live up to our state motto, 'Fields of Opportunity.”

The Iowa Senate's proposed $8.67 million cut to the University of Iowa is a direct affront to that motto. The opportunity that the university is providing me and countless other students will be jeopardized if this level of cuts is to take place.

Families across Iowa will have to sit around the kitchen table and struggle with if they can send their children to one of Iowa's premier public universities.

Businesses and families from across the U.S. and world come to Iowa for our world-class education and educated workforce, because they know that the long-term and sustained investment in education is the most important element to ensuring a prosperous future for Iowa.

Contact state legislators to urge them not to cut the University of Iowa.

Kyle Scheer

Cedar Rapids