NANCY ROSSIGNOL
PRIDE STAFF WRITER

In an article by the LA Times dated Jan. 10, 2011, Chancellor Charles Reed responded to Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed budget cuts, acknowledging the $500 million reduction will “limit access for students seeking entrance into our universities and restrict classes and services for our current students.”

As a result, CSU demonstrators statewide rallied together on April 13 for “A Day of Class Action.” The event began just before noon as faculty, staff and students gathered at Cesar Chavez Plaza carrying signs and banners and wearing T-shirts showing their support. Following the rally was a march from the Cesar Chavez statue to Craven Hall where nearly 200 supporters and onlookers joined in to listen from the steps.

The California Faculty Association hosted similar events on Wednesday at each of the 23 CSU campuses as part of a national campaign concerning cuts to higher education.

An ensemble of jazz musicians from Cal State San Marcos’s Visual and Performing Arts Department played during the event. An array of key speakers addressed budget cuts, tuition increases, employee rights and salary structure.

Sharon Elise, CFA Affirmative Action Representative and professor of Sociology, expressed the need to maintain “affordable, accessible and high quality” education for all students.

Other faculty, staff and students followed with short speeches voicing similar concerns, as the crowd shouted repeatedly, “Chop from the top.”

Student fees increased 224 percent since 1998, according to the CFA, and another 10 percent fee increase is schedule for next year. Faculty salaries increased 27 percent since 1998, compared to a 69 percent increase for CSU executive salaries. Chancellor Reed’s annual salary, according to the CFA, began at $254,004 in 1998 and is currently $421,500. The average base salary for CSU faculty is currently $85,083, according to the March 22, 2011, Mercer Consulting presentation to the CSU Board of Trustees.

CSU Employees Union chapter President Michael Geck also spoke at the April 13 rally on the issue of employee rights, demanding “rights, respect and a descent contract.”

Governor Brown’s January spending plan slashed the total state budget by $12.5 billion including $500 million from the University of California, $500 million from the CSU and $308 million from state employees. According to the Office of the Governor, the 10 percent cut in pay for state employees includes those “not currently covered under collective bargaining agreements.”

CFA Chapter President and CSUSM Sociology professor Donald Barrett attended demonstrations recently in Wisconsin and spoke at the April 13 rally, addressing what he called “attacks on democracy.” In an earlier interview with The Pride, Dr. Barrett discussed the issue of collective bargaining, explaining the proposed changes as “efforts to centralize administration and weaken the power of employee unions to collectively represent the interests of employees.”

CSUSM student, Jenn Meneray, used the open mic opportunity at the rally to speak in support of students and higher education, while other students recited poetry. Professor of Literature and Writing, Brandon Cesmat, made a plea to the skies and the crowd joined in asking “homeland security” to “listen up.”

Photos courtesy of Nancy Rossignol