The Pride

Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jackie Carbajal Attendees received buttons, pamphlets, and sign up sheets from the Alliance for CSU to motivate action

Mon. March 10-The CSU Alliance continued its campaign at CSUSM from 1-2 p.m. in ARTS 111. With no open seating available, students, staff and faculty gathered along the aisles and the Alliance provided fold out chairs in front to accommodate the influx of attendees. Outside media coverage was also in present to witness the union of the CSU community.

"This alliance today brings together Cal State San Marcos students, faculty, staff and administration to talk about the fact that the CSU and Cal State San Marcos is a solution to the state's problems," said CSUSM President Karen Haynes in the panel's opening speech. "I will tell that I have now heard the chancellor of this system say several times that California cannot afford to have first rate prisons and third rate education."

Members of the Alliance handed out flyers and an information card, urging attendees to volunteer to send e-mails and make phone calls to government officials. Anyone interested can visit www.allianceforthecsu.org and www.csusm.edu/plan/budgetcentral.

"We can't just sit back and let this happen to us without putting up a good fight and that's what this is all about," urged Janet Powell, California Faculty Association Chapter President.

The central message of the Alliance was the emphasis that these cuts are still not set in stone. In mid-May, the governor is set to release changes to his proposal based on any changes or proposed changes to the state's income or spending. In June, the Assembly and Senate budget committees will send their revisions to the budget bill for further evaluation. The committees will then meet to condense the two proposals into one version. That single version requires a two-thirds vote from each house before it is sent to the Governor. The deadline for this budget bill is June 1. The governor then has 12 working days to sign the bill.

"The good news is that there is still opportunity to create history rather than be constrained by it," CSUEU (Employees Union) Chapter President Michael Geck said. Geck stressed the importance of contacting legislature as often as possible and getting the entire community involved: churches, family, businesses, etc. "You've got to let them know that the ten percent cut across the board will have a negative impact on every Californian not just the CSU faculty, students, and staff."

Continued...

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