Gary Moskowitz
Glendale Community College students and faculty, outraged over
proposed budget cuts that could devastate the school's curriculum,
turned the campus Thursday into a mass graveyard.
Students placed 52 "graves" in the college's Plaza Vaquero to
represent the 52 classes that have been cut from the spring semester.
Approximately 105 classes were initially cut from the college's
2002-03 course offerings.
Students and educators took turns blasting Gov. Gray Davis and
state officials for the proposed cuts, which could lead to $6 million
less in the college's general fund.
Members of the college's student government hosted the budget cut.
More than 5,000 students have applied for admission to GCC in the
past three months and less than 500 have been able to enroll in
classes they need, student government President Antonino Patti said.
"We understand there has to be cuts, but we are asking that the
cuts be fair," Patti said. "These are terrible statistics we are
facing."
Students chanted slogans like "No ifs, no ands, no fees, no cuts"
and held protest signs with slogans like "We're not going to stand
for it," "This fall, will doors to higher education still be open?"
and "Education is our right. Until we get it, we shall fight."
Students were encouraged to sign typed letters of protest to Davis
and several state senators and Assembly members. College Vice
President Steve White encouraged students to get involved by
contacting their local legislators.
"All the people that work here in administration agree that what
they're doing in Sacramento is wrong," White said to a crowd of
several hundred students who attended the rally. "Why are we cutting
classes when we have more students than ever? This is poor management
of money and this is unacceptable."
The governor's proposal includes a 43% cut to funds designated for
disabled student services, which prompted disabled student Mike
Geiger to get up and speak.
"This infuriates me," Geiger said. "I would not be here right now
if it weren't for the services I've been provided as a disabled
student."
The governor remains committed to providing nearly $659 million in
Cal Grant Program funds to California students in 2003-04, which is
$13.8 million more than was offered in 2002-03, Governor's
Spokeswoman Hillary McClaine said. The Cal Grant program helps
provide funding for students who want to attend California community
colleges and universities. The deadline to apply for the 2003-04
school year is March 2, McClaine said.
"Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that we have to make cuts in
our schools," McClaine said. "But the governor is committed to
providing [Cal Grant] funds."
