ASLC seeks funding for protest

Student Activities Advisor Al Kirven urged ASLC to hold District Chancellor Elihu Harris accountable to his promise to pay for bus transportation to the March 22 Sacramento rally against the budget cuts.

Senator Leonard Hutton said at the March 3 ASLC meeting that 150 Laney students had reserved spaces on buses that will take them to the March 22 Sacramento rally against the budget cuts.

Bus seat reservations, Hutton said, are free for students, but faculty, staff and other non-students have to pay $45. Also, Associated Students (AS) of each Peralta campus will be asked to help pay for the buses, which cost about $1,000 each.

"It was my understanding," Kirven said, "that the chancellor said he would pay for the buses. Are you telling me that AS has to get involved in [paying for] this and certain staff has to pay?"

Hutton said, "The problem with Chancellor Harris is when he opened his mouth, he committed money that he thought he could take from the general fund. That is not money that he can touch for this."

Student Trustee Yvonne Thompson had given Hutton advice on how to raise money to pay for the buses. "She suggested we beg and plead from all the different campuses and all the different organizations to pitch in," Hutton said.

There are also plans to request money from the Peralta Foundation and college presidents.

Kirven reminded Hutton to keep the pressure on the district. "Make them come through on their promise," Kirven said. "You guys shouldn't have to pay for this.

"It doesn't make sense."