Staff and students rally for budget reform
Elan Lopez
Issue date: 3/12/10 Section: News
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At Rio Hondo, the Associated Student Body took part by sponsoring a Day of Action in which staff and students were literally calling on local and state representatives because in the past two years, the government and state legislators have cut the budget for public education by $17 billion.
Workers and students are struggling more than ever to stop cutbacks, end layoffs, and to keep fair wages.
"We need this help because it is getting harder and harder to pay fees," says ASB senator Eric Leon, who is working part-time like many other students.
"We are having this Day of Action to make students aware that our school is in trouble of having our enrollment fees and book prices increase", says ASB treasurer Linda Gonzalez. It is not just school fees that will skyrocket, but class sizes are increasing rapidly denying thousands of students classes and/or admission. If fees increase, it will prevent many students from working families from receiving a higher education.
Second year Rio student, Carlos Vasquez, was one of the first to participate in the signing of petitions because he knows that his little brother wants to attend Rio Hondo and it is important that the enrollment fees are not raised.
California was once recognized for its record of forward thinking about higher education.
In 1960, the state passed a Master Plan for Higher Education, which promised a nearly free college education for any student who could make the grades.
This plan has been disintegrating in recent years and almost disappeared during the Schwarzenneger era. At many community colleges, long-standing programs like Adult Education and English as a Second Language have been reduced in funds causing the school to drop the programs.
Last year, the budgets of the University of California and California State University were cut by $813 million and $564 million respectively, resulting in the elimination of thousands of jobs, layoffs, pay cuts and larger class sizes. Both UC and CSU raised tuition, including a massive 32 percent hike at the University of California.
Fortunately, Rio Hondo maintained its programs, however, the number of classes this year have been reduced. "There has only been one staff layoff and the reduction of hours for two staff members have been issued, but compared to other community colleges, Rio has been extremely lucky," explains Library Technician Sandra Rivera.
California, along with other states, is currently gathering 1.2 million signatures statewide for the on-time budget initiative on the November ballot to pass the California state budget.
Despite all the work from protestors, people still feel the focus should be placed on Schwarzenegger and other politicians to follow through on their promises and to address the attacks on education all across the country, not just in California.
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