More than 100 faculty, students and residents of Long Beach turned out for the “CSU is the Solution” rally against the Cal State University budget cuts at the Speaker’s Platform yesterday afternoon.
Audience members held “Fully Fund CSU” signs while listening to faculty and alumni speak out on the benefits the CSU system affords the state and the potential impacts of further budget cuts.
“It’s all about getting the message to Sacramento,” said Doug Robinson, vice president of student services.
Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander requested each student fill out a card with a personal message addressed to Assemblyman Jim Silva, asking him to fully fund the CSU system.
Rally-goers filled out 540 cards to send to Silva, and the California Faculty Association will continue to accept cards until Thursday.
“Do not let our legislators off the hook,” Alexander said as he emphasized the need to restore $66 million to the system’s budget to ensure future opportunities for students. “[Our representatives in Sacramento] need to know you’re watching every decision they’re making.”
Associated Students, Inc. Vice President Christopher Chavez said budget cuts will only have negative effects on CSULB because classes will be cut, qualified students will be denied acceptance and fees will increase.
He said the funds have already affected the campus as class sizes have doubled and some students are forced to sit on the floor for the entire semester.
If the state budget cuts persist, tuition will almost double as it increases 10 percent for the next 10 years, according to Chavez.
Student speakers informed the audience that 10,000 students throughout the CSU system will be denied admittance next year — CSULB’s share will be 1,500 — and that the cuts will reduce opportunities for faculty.
Praveen Soni, chair of the academic senate, said the cuts are moving the CSU in the wrong direction.
According to Soni, 13,000 students will be denied the opportunity to enroll systemwide, meaning 2,000 class sections will be not offered, and 400 full-time lecturers will not be hired.
“What will [be] the quality of education future students will get?” he asked the audience.
Resident speakers said the CSU system is an economic engine and for every dollar taken out of the system, $4 is taken out of the economy.
New Zealand exchange student Sophie Peacock said the budget cuts are a way of the government limiting education for the wealthy.
“They’re keeping the rich rich,” Peacock said. “It just seems like there is an underlying motive to it.”
Rally supporter Claire Rodriguez, said she thinks students will still apply to CSULB but thinks it will be more competitive.
“Lets just hope [Silva] will sway his vote,” she said.