The CSU is the Solution

The CSU is the Solution

            At 11:30 AM on April 8, 2008 in the BMU auditorium, a budget rally was held in support of the Alliance for the CSU.  Hosted by Chico State president Paul Zingg and thirteen Alliance members, the event called upon the over 800 attending students, faculty, and community members to “be equipped for action necessary” (Zingg) in the fight against a 386 million dollar CSU system budget cut set to be imposed by the California state government.  Stated by Zingg, the fight for “a vision” for California and “a voice” for higher education is a promise which can be kept through community action. 

            The featured Alliance member speakers were Bob Lynchak (Trustee), Cathy Kaiser (Chair of the Academic Senate), Susan Green (History Professor), Pat Gant (System-Wide President), Esmeralda Campos (Director of Legislative Affairs), and Osazee Edebiri (Associated Students President).  The primary message of all the speakers was that these huge budget cuts will greatly deprive education opportunities and that the effects of the cuts will be felt statewide.

First and foremost is the fact that higher education is the solution to our dire economic state; university graduate demand a higher income thus stimulating the economy with their purchasing power.  Second is the issue of denied access to education.  As Susan Green pointed out, due to the budget cuts ten thousand students were not admitted to the CSU system this year and that number is expected to grow.  Finally is the fact that the CSU graduated professionals who build and strengthen our states infrastructure.

To enable these three messages of economy, access, and infrastructure, the faculty (who are on the forefront of this battle) need to be given the means to provide quality education to which all are able.  Currently, there are too few faculties who lack adequate resources to teach the students who are admitted.  Beyond simply faculty responsibilities in the class room, there needs to be faculty availability for student counseling.  Nonetheless, California legislature moves forward with CSU budget cuts while flooding the state prison fund.

So what is the action to be taken?  As stated by Pat Gant, “make our presence know.  We have the power to affect legislation through a joint effort”.  The Associated Student President and Director of Legislative Affairs are organizing a march on the State Capital in support of higher education.  It was also suggested that students speak out in the classroom and encourage others to join the Alliance through signing petition cards.  But probably the most productive action to be taken stated by an audience member is to invite legislators to these rallies.  After all, the hoopla is only effective when heard.