Rio readies for a March march
David Leos
Issue date: 3/12/10 Section: News
As California's budget crisis continues to cripple the state school system, students, faculty and staff from Rio Hondo and other local colleges are planning to march on March 22.
The March-in-March (march), is a grass-roots effort to spawn awareness and demonstrate the impact the state's budget woes are having
public education, from K-12 to university levels.
According to the California Teachers Association, $17 billion has been cut from the state education budget over the last two
years, with another 2.5 billion in funds aimed to be cut as well.
The current reductions inthe education budget have all but abolished arts, vocational and physical fitness programs,
have caused 16,000 teachers and faculty to lose their jobs, forced districts and institutions to cancel summer school programs
and demanded UC, CSU and Community College students to pay as high as 32%
more in tuition fees, for fewer services.
In addition, there are also categorical programs, some of which exist on campus, that destined to feel the squeeze to
even a higher degree.
Programs like EOP&S, DSP&S, Cal Works and MESA are all in fear of more reductions and possible closure if the cuts continue.
"Basically, any program that helps students is the first to get cut," says Sammy Castillo, ASB president, March facilitator and participant.
According to a recent White House press release on the current education crisis,
President Obama stressed, "This is a problem we can't afford to ignore."
The participants of the March would like to exemplify this statement as statewide student
enrollment is expected to decrease by up 40,000 students per capita over the next two
years.
On March 22, Rio demonstrators will board two, 50-person charter buses. They will
depart Rio Hondo College at approximately midnight, arriving in Sacramento later that
morning.
The entire turnaround trip will last about 24 hours. There will no fee for all those who
attend, as costs will be covered by the Student Services portion of their registration fees.
Food and drinks will also be provided, in addition to a March t-shirt that participants
will be able to wear during the event.
If all goes to plan, the participants'
footsteps, signs and voices will operate in unison as they will march from Reilly Field to the State Capitol, advocating the full-funding of public schools, colleges and universities.
"Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to join us," says Castillo. "It's a really great experience."
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate and even speak at the event. The ASB is committed to accommodating all who plan to attend and they hope for a grand turnout.
All interested participants should either pay a visit to the ASB room adjacent to the Campus Inn or e-mail the ASB at asb@riohondo.edu and express their interest.
The March-in-March (march), is a grass-roots effort to spawn awareness and demonstrate the impact the state's budget woes are having
public education, from K-12 to university levels.
According to the California Teachers Association, $17 billion has been cut from the state education budget over the last two
years, with another 2.5 billion in funds aimed to be cut as well.
The current reductions inthe education budget have all but abolished arts, vocational and physical fitness programs,
have caused 16,000 teachers and faculty to lose their jobs, forced districts and institutions to cancel summer school programs
and demanded UC, CSU and Community College students to pay as high as 32%
more in tuition fees, for fewer services.
In addition, there are also categorical programs, some of which exist on campus, that destined to feel the squeeze to
even a higher degree.
Programs like EOP&S, DSP&S, Cal Works and MESA are all in fear of more reductions and possible closure if the cuts continue.
"Basically, any program that helps students is the first to get cut," says Sammy Castillo, ASB president, March facilitator and participant.
According to a recent White House press release on the current education crisis,
President Obama stressed, "This is a problem we can't afford to ignore."
The participants of the March would like to exemplify this statement as statewide student
enrollment is expected to decrease by up 40,000 students per capita over the next two
years.
On March 22, Rio demonstrators will board two, 50-person charter buses. They will
depart Rio Hondo College at approximately midnight, arriving in Sacramento later that
morning.
The entire turnaround trip will last about 24 hours. There will no fee for all those who
attend, as costs will be covered by the Student Services portion of their registration fees.
Food and drinks will also be provided, in addition to a March t-shirt that participants
will be able to wear during the event.
If all goes to plan, the participants'
footsteps, signs and voices will operate in unison as they will march from Reilly Field to the State Capitol, advocating the full-funding of public schools, colleges and universities.
"Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to join us," says Castillo. "It's a really great experience."
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate and even speak at the event. The ASB is committed to accommodating all who plan to attend and they hope for a grand turnout.
All interested participants should either pay a visit to the ASB room adjacent to the Campus Inn or e-mail the ASB at asb@riohondo.edu and express their interest.
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