March 4wrd.

First meeting of March 4ward coalition is THIS Tuesday, March 9 from 4-7PM. Location: Diversity Center (New Union). At this meeting we will debrief March 4 actions and have a stategic planning session. We need to hear from you! Bring your ideas and positive energy!

A Fight for Our Future.

On March 4th, 2010 our state took the lead in making history. Tens of thousands took the initiative, and stood up for their right to a quality education. Simply put, the image was epic; people were out of windows, kids up against fences, watching a people once divided, unite and stand together for a common goal. I've never seen more comradeship from so many different walks of life. It was a group of thousands UNITED walking TOGETHER, arms linked, our voices FINALLY being heard. It was the first time in a long time that people put aside their differences and joined voices to say I WILL STAND UP FOR MY NEIGHBOR. No one cared who you were, what you did, or where you were from; grade school teacher, middle school student, college professor: we were all family on this day. A family angered for the treatment to a family member. Brothers and sisters alike stood up and said NO MORE! On March 4th we became a SINGLE VOICE. Much more powerful then any politician, or any administrator. Today and forever they will hear our voice ring "OUR EDUCATION IS OUR FUTURE!"

But the fight is not over. This is our time, there will be NO second chances. I quote, "The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences." — Winston S. Churchill

A word from a wise man, and he was right. We can wait no longer. We simply no longer have that luxury. We are entering a critical time in our history. And if we do not act now, there will be dire consequences. Picture America the land of opportunity and hope with absolutely no opportunity and no hope. It is your God given right to a better future. Don't let them steal your dignity. Our dignity cannot be BOUGHT. We don't have to take this lying down. Get up and FIGHT! Get up and fight beside us all, you are not alone. And I can guarantee that I will not stop. And I urge you all to do the same. Make them all do for US as they promised! Take back your EDUCATION. Lets put our STUDENTS FIRST. We are the foundation, without us, they have nothing.

I would like to thank the CFA and the SQE (Students for Quality Education) for giving us a role in helping with March 4th activities. Sherrie Canedo, Clint Hayden, Jessica Rios, Sean Shultz, Hawley Healy, Tiffany Bledsoe, Maureen Loughran, Professor Craig Collins; Great job guys proud to be a part of it. And Professor Ingram for believing that we could make a difference.

-Justin Areola.

Day of Action

So today was THE day, the beggining of our battle to eliminate the budget cuts and to save our schools and education. I woke up this morning planning on simply going to class, going to work and then going to the march and ralley in San Francisco. However, I ended up filling in for Sean therefore I got to be more than just a follower, I was a leader as well as my friends Justin and Hawley.
The 3 of us didn't expect things would turn out the way they did but we are SO happy they did! There were so many supporters, professors and students taking a stand. Marching thru the halls yelling "WALK OUT , SPEAK OUT !", watching the live performances, hearing the speakers and marching to Warren Hall to give our list of demands to the president and not to mention the march to the Civic Center: none of this could've been done without the bravery of everyone who participated. If we keep this is up there is NO way we'll be ignored and change will come. This is not over yet, oh no, this is simply the beggining. On behalf of myself, Justin, Hawley, Sean and Ms. Susan Ingram we'd like to thank you for letting your voice be heard and for helping to fight against these budget cuts. You fought for students, teachers and professors ALL over California, not just yourself! Keep it up!

Tiffany Bledsoe

Important Dates

March 4th, 2010
11:00AM
Walkout to Speak Out.
CSU East Bay, Hayward Campus

March 22nd, 2010
Statewide march at the State Capitol.
1315 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

More information about both events will be provided soon.

We've got money but its not for YOU!

Upon arriving to my GS class Thursday afternoon, there was much buzz about signing up for classes and how within the past hour classes had already been filled to capacity. I was also informed that a Philosophy class I would be required to take wasnt even on the list to choose from. But wait, it gets worse. I learned that out the $50 million given to CSU's, we would be getting $1.7 million of it. Great news right? WRONG. The money won't be used on us, oh no, it will be used on incoming Fall 2010 freshman.

Earlier that morning my English teacher mentioned to me that as of Spring 2010 she will have no job because she had been layed off as well as 90% of the English department. THIS is why. There is no money for lecturers. Classes have been completely cut, teachers are being let go and students cant get into the classes they need. I tryed to sign up for classes that night and 2 out 3 of the freshman cluster classes I need weren't even listed.

A friend of mine sent an e-mail to the cheif financial advisor asking him why this was happening. Mr. Sean Pibb, the cheif financial advisor, completely skipped over his question and simply told him what the money will be used for, leaving the impression that basically its not for us so don't worry about it.

This is OUR future they're messing with. I dont know about you but NO ONE decides what the outcome of my future will be but ME. So, speak up and let yourself be heard. We can make a difference!

- Tiffany Bledsoe

No money for lecturers?

Just a couple weeks ago the chancellor of the CSU system released roughly $50 million dollars in stimulus money to the CSU's up and down the state. However I was recently made aware that my Cal State does not have the funds to hire lecturers for our spring quarter. But doesn't that statement I just listed conflict with the fact that the University just received a share of a $50 million dollar stimulus? I asked the chief financial advisor at my University why it was that we did not have enough money to pay for lecturers when we just received a share of a $50 million dollar stimulus. This is what he said..

"I am sorry that you have been misinformed regarding how CSU plans to use our share of the $50M. The Chancellor of the CSU has directed us to use the money for Fall 2010 classes and to help implement the Graduation Initiative (a CSU-wide program that is designed to help close the graduation gap for under-represented communities). CSU's share of the $50M is approximately $1.7M of which $1.2M is earmarked for additional course offerings and $.5M for the Graduation Initiative."

He said I was misinformed when in fact I am the total opposite of misinformed. What he did was entirely skip over my question as of why the money is not being utilized for students here RIGHT NOW! He beat around the subject by saying it was for the Graduation initiative. He failed to tell me outright that the stimulus money was for NEXT YEARS FRESHMAN. What that tells me is that they don't care the students here now, what happened to the student being first? I pay tuition and I deserve to have my classes just as everyone else does. Basically they told me 'hey we already have your money so we're not going to help you, we need that money for freshman that haven't paid that aren't even enrolled yet.' Its all about where the money is going to come from next. Its GREED. And I know there are those that feel the same. take a stand. Tell me what you think.