BCC rally encourages students to get active and fight for education
Jason Wins
Issue date: 5/8/08 Last update: 5/8/08 at 1:50 PM PST
Section: News
The Global Studies Club at Berkeley City College held an open mic and rally against the proposed budget cuts to education March 12.
With over 100 students in attendance, students spoke out on the topic of "What my education means to me and if I were to lose it."
Student Robert Valdez said, "In a situation like this, it is impossible to be neutral. This affects us all."
"There is really no excuse why our education should have to be cut in California," said BCC student Jason Wins, "which is the seventh largest economy in the world."
Other students read their poetry of protest. One BCC professor addressed the issue of California's budget crisis, alleging that, "The banks that are responsible for the sub-prime loan scam are the ones to blame for the budget deficit. We should not pay for their crisis."
Currently, students and faculty are circulating petitions and writing letters to their representatives. They are also currently planning to march in Sacramento against the budget cuts at the beginning of the fall semester.
The governor's proposed budget would result in the elimination of 50,000 community college students, possible fee increases, reduction of full time employees in favor of part time employees, cuts to financial aid, grants and scholarships.
"I think we can beat back these cuts," said Wins. "It is really up to us whether or not these proposals go forward."
Find out more at http://www.calcuts.blogspot.com or email the BCC Global Studies Club at globalstudiesclub@yahoo.com.
With over 100 students in attendance, students spoke out on the topic of "What my education means to me and if I were to lose it."
Student Robert Valdez said, "In a situation like this, it is impossible to be neutral. This affects us all."
"There is really no excuse why our education should have to be cut in California," said BCC student Jason Wins, "which is the seventh largest economy in the world."
Other students read their poetry of protest. One BCC professor addressed the issue of California's budget crisis, alleging that, "The banks that are responsible for the sub-prime loan scam are the ones to blame for the budget deficit. We should not pay for their crisis."
Currently, students and faculty are circulating petitions and writing letters to their representatives. They are also currently planning to march in Sacramento against the budget cuts at the beginning of the fall semester.
The governor's proposed budget would result in the elimination of 50,000 community college students, possible fee increases, reduction of full time employees in favor of part time employees, cuts to financial aid, grants and scholarships.
"I think we can beat back these cuts," said Wins. "It is really up to us whether or not these proposals go forward."
Find out more at http://www.calcuts.blogspot.com or email the BCC Global Studies Club at globalstudiesclub@yahoo.com.

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