As a follow-up to last week’s story regarding the importance of funding education, I would like to report to you that Monday, April 21st was a success. The California State Student Association a member of the coalition, Students for California, was able to create history in organizing and leading a march to the capitol in protest to the Governor’s proposed $386 million cut to the CSU system.
CSSA was joined by students, parents, and teachers from the CSU, UC, and Community Colleges in marching from West Sacramento to the steps of the State Capitol. Over 4,000 attended from every part of the state of California, including students from Long Beach City College and Cal State Long Beach. Every segment of higher learning was represented. The march was lead by the coalition, Students for California and Lt. Governor Garamendi.
It was motivating to see everyone come together to march peacefully to the capitol behind the art project, “The Missing Students.” A press conference on the capitol steps culminated the march.
As the passionate chants of over 4,000 people permeated the capitol building, many legislators stepped out of the building to show their support. Senator Pro Tem Don Perata, Senator Pro Tem-elect Darrel Steinberg, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, Assembly Members Anthony Portantino and Assembly Member Julia Brownley all spoke on behalf of the students’ message.
That message is simple, according to Dina Cervantes, Chair of the California State Student Association and organizer of Monday’s March for Higher Education. “Slashing the budgets of California’s colleges and universities will deny access to qualified students, result in increased fees and greatly limit the state’s ability to maintain an educated workforce – a critical component in ensuring a healthy economy.” Cervantes noted that raising fees amounts to nothing more than taxing students, a tool used to balance the budget on the backs of those who can afford it the least. Cervantes continued that “our state is increasingly funding the corrections system and decreasingly funding higher education; we are on our way to having world class prisons and second class universities.”
For every $1 invested in a CSU student there is a $4.41 return to the state economy. The purpose of CSSA’s March for Higher Education is to send a message to the Governor and Legislature that funding higher education is not a wasted expense, but an investment in the future of California.