Graphic illustration by Gabriel Utasi/Tribune

The editorial board of Arizona State University’s student newspaper, the State Press, apparently didn’t like the Tribune’s suggestion that the Arizona Board of Regents postpone any further increases in student tuition or classroom fees for at least one year. The State Press responded with an editorial Thursday that says the Tribune is well-intended but ill-informed, because regents have no choice but to keep raising tuition because the Legislature steadfastly refuses to properly fund the universities.

I can’t say I’m surprised by the State Press editorial. Students attending public colleges routinely believe elected officials don’t understand the importance of such institutions, and so they divert tax dollars to purposes of far less value. I certainly believed that 20 years ago when I was attending the University of Wyoming, and made the exact same argument as the State Press in a column for that campus’ student newspaper.

But the facts are the Arizona Board of Regents has increased tuition and other fees at a rate higher than inflation throughout this decade, while the Legislature has funded student population growth during most of those years. Lawmakers have failed to provide enough funding for building construction and maintenance during the good years. But the universities have made their own mistakes, such as when ASU failed to install enough fire sprinklers when it remodeled the Memorial Union.

Arguments about class sizes being too big or not getting the right professor ring hollow when more students can no longer afford to enroll at a public university in first place, or they have to ring up so much debt that their lives are heavily burdened for years after graduation.

And there’s another issue to consider. Capitol Media Services reported in today’s Tribune that some lawmakers are looking to grab the money that the three universities expect to bring in from this year’s tuition increases. So postponing any additional increases for a year is unlikely to harm the universities, but would be a boon for students in a tough economy and might ease growing tensions between the board of regents and the Legislature.

MEMBERS OF THE DOBSON HIGH SCHOOL ROTC PROGRAM MARCHED TODAY IN MESA’S VETERANS DAY PARADE. (Photo by Tony D’Astoli/Tribune)

The organizers of Mesa’s Veterans Day Parade never have enjoyed the same level of support as their counterparts in Phoenix or Tempe — even when the city of Mesa picked up all of the costs of closing  streets, providing traffic control and cleaning up afterward. After the city cut off public funding three years ago because of budget constraints, those organizers have struggled just to keep the event alive. This year, veterans groups were worried because they had raised enough private donations to pay for the parade, but not enough for advertising to invite the public to attend.

After watching today’s parade in downtown Mesa, I’d say those worries were overblown and patriotism is alive and well here. A good crowd filled in both sides of Center Street to clap, cheer and salute as veterans, high school bands and active military rolled by. You can watch a video and a photo slideshow

    (Photo by Le Templar)

A high number of entries made for a long parade, another important sign of support. The only downside was large gaps appeared between groups several times, prompting some people to think the parade was over and wander away. Hopefully, organizers can recruit more volunteers next year to keep the parade closer together and lift up everyone’s interest in watching.

    (Photo by Le Templar)

For more scenes from the parade, you can watch a Tribune video and a photo slideshow.