The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

COLUMBIA, MO. -- University of Missouri officials released the numbers of how high tuition could increase if state leaders slash their budget.

The proposed state cuts forced Mizzou administrators to ask for a 7.5% tuition increase for next year.

Members of Mizzou’s Missouri Student Association don’t want a state funding cut of 12.5% as proposed by Governor Jay Nixon.  MSA students have started a letter writing campaign to the Governor and their state lawmakers.  The letters show Mizzou students believe the proposed cuts are unacceptable.

MSA Member Zach Toombs said, “It will leave the University in a terrible situation.  Not only will we see higher tuition, but we will also see less in the way of the programming.  We will see less support for faculty salaries and that sort of thing which is badly needed.”

They call their campaign More for Less.  That means students think they will pay more for less state funding, if the cuts go through.

In addition to their letter campaign, MSA members have started an online petition.  The petition allows everyone, not just students, to formally voice their opinion.

MSA leaders hope their efforts send a strong message to Governor Nixon and the Missouri Legislature.

MSA President Xavier Billingsley said, “If we don’t educate our student body population, we won’t be able to get those down.  It will seem like we don’t care.  It is very important for us to get these letter writing campaigns and the More for Less on Twitter.”

MSA organizers want to collect 1,000 letters for their More for Less campaign.

Missouri ranks 45th in the nation in state support for higher education.