Budget cuts have reared their heads again as Southeastern considers the future of 19 low completer programs in the upcoming semesters. Answering the call to action is Southeastern’s National Organization for Change (NOC) and its divisional organization, Save SELU. Wednesday, Feb. 16, members of both organizations, led by Omar Ictech, rallied outside of Fayard Hall in an effort to drum up support for their cause.

The members handed out flyers which pulled attention to the budgetary issues. Furthermore, they spoke with any students that would listen. This was an attempt to soften the organizations’ image which Ictech feared might have appeared too radical and scared away some of their potential supporters.

“We had a protest where we had a bull horn. Students didn’t seem to like that at all,” laughed Ictech.

Despite the lightened approach, NOC and Save SELU are taking a more active angle on the issues than they have in the previous semesters. According to Ichtech, a senior sociology major, the focus has shifted from generating awareness to legislative action.

“We’re focusing more on solutions to the state deficit,” said Ictech. “Last year, we were just talking about prioritizing education with the state deficit.”

The changes that NOC and Save SELU wish to implement include fixing tax codes, regulating tax brackets and amending the state’s constitution to protect higher education.

Another change in the tactics employed is a shifting of theme from political party issues into a more broad, class concern.

“To me, this amounts to class warfare,” said Christopher Hicks, a junior sociology major. “People want to try to turn this into a Democratic Left or Republican Right issue, and it’s really not about that.” Hicks noted that both sides appeared to be hacking away at higher education assets and resources. “It’s a rich versus poor issue,” said Hicks.

According to Ictech, the members of NOC have found themselves in a situation very similar to those faced last semester. Students, by and large, still seem apathetic to their cause. Worse yet, Ictech noted that it even appears as though some students are only vaguely aware of the circumstances in which the state’s schools now find themselves. It is this that NOC has been working towards remedying.

With new tactics, vision and a more subtle yet shrewd approach, Ichtech is hopeful that NOC and Save SELU can make a difference. Until then, he is determined to keep trying.

“We’re just going to have to hit harder, faster and more often,” said Ictech.

For more information on Save SELU and NOC, students may visit the groups’ respective Facebook pages.