A small crowd of about 35 students gathered in the Old University Union at CSU East Bay this morning to protest and rally their discontent over continuing budget cuts to higher education in California.

Sponsored by the California Faculty Association (CFA) in conjunction with Students for Quality Education (SQE), the rally today was part of a statewide event for students and faculty members to express objection and frustration with Sacramento.

Due to the rain, the event at CSUEB entitled “Peoples University Liberate Education,” originally planned for the Agora Stage, was held indoors.

Ranging from issues with rising tuition costs, Gov. Jerry Brown, the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees, high salaries for CSU administrators and the potential move to an online school called “CSU online,” among others, the students present expressed their desire to make a difference in their education’s future.

“We need leaders who understand that our universities need funding, who put students and faculty first and who are committed to keeping the CSU accessible, affordable, and who strive for high quality education,” expressed Abby Andrade, CSUEB Ethnic Studies major.

“We need to reclaim our CSU, and put the decisions back in our own hands,” she said.

An information packet was passed out by organizers called “Reclaim CSU: A disorienting guide to the California State University System,” as one of the main reasons for the event was to provide “teach-ins” and educate attendees on how they can take action in their education.

One issue that rallied the crowd was over the proposed online university, CSU online.

“Does anyone like online classes?” asked Political Science major Jaclyn Moran, as the crowd cheered their anger. “Well I don’t like them either. It will be cheaper for the CSU, but it’s not good for students. Your not going to get the amount of attention you would get in a traditional class.”

A statewide march is planned for Mar. 5 in Sacramento. Also organized by the CFA and SQE, the intention for the rally is to assemble college students and supporters in front of the capitol building to protest legislative issues in Sacramento affecting higher education.

Associated Students Inc. (ASI) student body president Christopher Prado offered reasoning to today’s protest on campus, as well as a stance on how students can make a difference in their education.

“I think what we’ve seen with the tuition increases is the gradual disinvestment by the California state legislator,” said Prado.

“Take a stand for something. It may not be easy. I think it’s important you learn to speak out and take control of your lives and learn to be critical agitators for social justice.”
Chase Thomas contributed research to this report.