This story was reported for San Diego News Network on August 31, 2009.
San Diego State University students returned to school Monday with 2,000 fewer peers and in the words of former professor Gean Lamke, they are “madder than hell.”
SDSU leaders gathered together alongside thousands of students to rally against California legislators and cuts they’ve made to education. Lamke was emcee of the event.
As part of the Big 5 budget agreement passed by state lawmakers in July, the California State University system saw a $600 million cut in funding with about $55 million hitting SDSU. Campus leaders say though, $35 million may become a permanent reduction and they’re protesting against it.
SDSU president Stephen Weber, alongside Associated Students president Tyler Boden and others, spoke against the cuts as thousands of students cheered them on. The two asked students and education advocates to write to legislators and “fight” for education.
Weber said over 2,000 SDSU applicants were rejected because of the budget cuts despite being qualified to join the school. In the CSU system, about 44,000 students were rejected.
“We are at a critical crossroads,” Weber said. “California slammed the door on them and their own future.”
He said the university has about 650 fewer faculty and staff members compared to what they had a year ago.
“The faculty (left) are being furloughed which means less compensation for those who are already underpaid,” Weber said.
The students who attended the rally were given an opportunity to sign banners and petitions to be sent to state lawmakers. In addition, a “Vent Tent” was available for rally-goers to record a video message to also be sent to legislators.
Two students, who said they will sign the petitions, were frustrated about the cuts.
Patrick Schultz, a junior majoring in business, said he will most likely graduate two semesters later than expected because of the decreased number of classes.
“I was dropped from my classes because I usually pay later in the school year but they had to give (classes) to students who paid first,” he said. “It’s pretty sad.”
His friend, Sarah Bonde, a sophomore majoring in psychology, said she was confused as to where the California money was going. She said she didn’t understand why she had to pay more for her classes while teachers were getting paid less.
“Where’s all they money going?” Bonde asked.
Jill Singer also expressed her concern during the rally, stating her daughter, Jacklyn, an SDSU student, would now be hurt by the cuts. She also asked that current students think about those who were not admitted due to the decrease in the size of the incoming freshman class.
“Two-thousand students were told this year they would not be freshmen at SDSU,” she said. “Think about how you would have felt if you received that rejection letter.”
Other rally attendees included SDSU senate chair Edith Benkov, SDSU Labor Councils representative Mark Wheeler and staff member Jose Preciado.
SDSU is home to about 34,500 students, while 417,112 students attend the California State University system.
Singer asked that those 34,500 students stand up for their university.
“Take two minutes to tweet, instant message, whatever the heck you do and send it to your state legislator and say you will not sacrifice your future,” Singer said. “The cuts are going to write your personal history, don’t let that happen.”
Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.