Capitol gets earful from college students protesting cuts

SACRAMENTO -- Hundreds of California college students crowded the steps of the Capitol on Monday protesting proposed cuts to education funding for next year.

Their message was simple -- "Kick us out, we'll vote you out!"

They chanted that chorus in response to Gov. Schwarzenegger's recommendation to slash education spending by 10 percent, which would amount to $1.1 billion in cuts to the state's public colleges and universities. The move was described as devastating, a nightmare and a crisis by speakers at Monday's demonstration.

Joined together in Sacramento and Los Angeles were students from community colleges, the California State University and University of California systems along with university employee union members. More than 2.6 million people attend California community colleges and public universities.

About 30 of the students at Monday's rally in Sacramento were from California State University, Stanislaus, and the University of California at Merced.

"I came to show my support, stand with people to say 'no' to what's going on in our government," said Angela Olive, a Cal State Stanislaus junior majoring in English. "It's horrible that so many social services are getting cut. ... We need more social services the way the economy is."

Cuts at public colleges most likely will mean campuses will offer fewer classes and student fees will increase. Tuition has jumped about 100 percent in the past six years.

"This is the second or third time they've wanted to raise tuition since I've started college," said Aimie Rivera, a junior studying communications at Cal State Stanislaus. "It's wrong to have us pay more when there's less and less classes. It takes longer to graduate. ... My friends have student loans; it's hard enough to pay their student fees."

Putting pressure on lawmakers

Students arrived in charter buses at Raley Field and walked a mile and a half across the Tower Bridge to the Capitol. They carried U.S. flags, some juggled while others played guitars and some held signs reading, "Working Class People Unite," "Educate, Don't Incarcerate," and "Don't Close the Door to Success."

Monday's March for Higher Education was part of an ongoing campaign to pressure Schwarzenegger and legislators to find other ways to balance the budget. Some protesters argued that colleges should get some of the funding doled out to prisons. Others suggested raising taxes.

The drive includes e-mails, faxes and calls to local representatives. Last week, Cal State Stanislaus students gathered 650 letters. Lobbying will continue throughout the spring, with planned rallies by professors and alumni in the next month.

About 15 speakers at Monday's event were politicians or students. State Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Alameda, said California has the highest cost of living but is on the road to having the lowest quality of living.

Cutting funding for college isn't the answer, protesters cried. For every $1 spent on CSU funding, $4.41 is generated.

After the rally, students broke into groups; many met with their respective legislators. Cal State Stanislaus students chatted with five valley politicians for about 15 minutes each.

"I hope we (accomplished something)," Rivera said. "I think it helped that students from across the state were there. I hope it makes a statement."

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.