By snoadmin
Being a student during hard economic times sucks. There are no jobs, the cost of living and rising school expenses are breaking piggy banks, and our hopes are being dashed on the rocks of uncertainty.
Many students feel they have been slapped hard in the face by Chancellor Charles Reed’s questionable move, as the California Faculty Association has defiantly postured it, to voluntarily give essential funds back to the state.
Most of us probably remember this year’s protests against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed $312.9 million budget cuts. Perhaps in response to massive student protests across all California educational systems, Schwarzenegger graciously gave $97.6 million, nearly one-third, back to the California State University system.
In October, Reed complied with Schwarzenegger’s request to give back a third of the monies returned to the CSU budget. It seems “Chucky Greed” — who shamelessly wore one of those “CSU is the Solution” buttons — forgot whose side he is supposed to be on — CSU students.
We could envision Reed as the Benedict “Arnold” to the Alliance for the CSU. Schwarzenegger snaps his fingers and his lap dog scurries to his feet. If the chancellor will not stand up and fight for us, who will?
Perhaps Reed felt obliged to obey the letter from the California Department of Finance and return the money to secure future funds. “If we give some back, maybe they won’t take it all,” could have been the misguided strategy behind his decision.
But what will his response be when a second letter arrives requesting the rest? Playing nice doesn’t seem like the best strategy for dealing with a schoolyard bully like the “Educ-Hater.” If you falter, he bullies more.
There have been viable solutions to solving the state’s budget woes all along, but Schwarzenegger has been too pigheaded in his party loyalty to allow them.
California, for example, is the only oil-producing state that doesn’t significantly tax oil extraction. Schwarzenegger is only now proposing we do that. Of course, he could have supported taxing oil companies when it was on the ballot in 2006, but that was before he checked his credit card bills.
He also is considering raising sales taxes, but that won’t help current students. The tax is vital in helping to fill gaping budget holes, but again he was tied to the Republican hard line, which was counterintuitive to solving our fiscal crisis.
We need to get pissed and let our anger force action.
Every Californian should be outraged with these cuts to the investment of our future. It’s time for a good old grassroots movement to squash Schwarzenegger’s malfeasance.
We came together earlier this year, holding protests and rallies up and down the state, but we lost momentum. We took a break while Schwarzenegger and legislators continued to break us. Sacramento doesn’t seem to be capable of handling money or reaching compromises; this budget mess is evidence of that.
One can’t help but feel that Schwarzenegger is playing games. The remaining $66.3 million portion of his “gift” recall is post-election buyer’s remorse. He only gave $97.6 million back to keep us quiet through the elections, with every intention of snatching it again — several million at a time.
Every money pinching option should be exhausted ten times over before Sacramento starts stripping essential educational funds. It’s time Schwarzenegger follows the national financial trend. We are an investment; where’s our bailout?
How can any student feel comfortable paying higher fees when money is given then taken away? Fewer students will be admitted, while the ones already attending will see fewer teachers, impacted programs, overcrowded classrooms and longer times to graduation.
California’s higher educational system — once the flagship of the country — is sinking fast. Our lifeboats are being punctured as Reed watches on with his hands in his pockets. Our ability to stay above water will depend on our ability to fight back, but we have no leader.
CSU students, employees and supporters will be shouting outside of Reed’s office tomorrow and Wednesday. If we shout loud enough, maybe next time he will consider us before obeying his master with nary a whimper.
