Thirty-two percent: last time we saw that number, we shut down the campus. Time to do it again! This time around the Cal State system is facing another billion dollars in cuts from the state. According to the Chronicle,
Forced to plan for a possible $1 billion reduction in state funds, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed said Tuesday that the university must consider raising tuition by another 32 percent, as well as shutting off enrollment for next spring.
But these students know what’s up:
The same might be said of student activists, who promised more campus protests if trustees drastically raise tuition while continuing to reduce courses and lay off instructors.
“Our state leaders need to know that cuts have consequences,” said Chavez of the Cal State Student Association.
The last time trustees approved a 32 percent tuition increase, in 2009, students walked out of class, seized buildings and disrupted public meetings.
Given the recent wave of CSU occupations and the 10-15,000 students who marched simultaneously on all 23 Cal State campuses last month, we are confident that resistance is in the works. Solidarity with our comrades at Cal State! This is public education? Fuck your fee hikes!
THOSE WHO USE IT 
CSU needs to follow the recommended way forward for the University of California 10 campus system. The public pays toward the costs of University of California (UC): the UC system is not untouchable. As many Californians face foreclosure, unemployment and depressed wages it’s about time that the timid University of California Board of Regents and UC President Mark Yudof reined in administrative and compensation costs.
As a Californian, I don’t care what others earn at private and public universities in the USA. If the wages are better elsewhere, UC paid employees need to apply for the positions. If wages are what keep UC paid employees committed to the University of California, leave for the better-paying position. Talented, experienced UC employees are ready to be promoted to the vacated positions. The sky will not fall at UC.
Wages at the UC need to reflect California’s ability to pay not what others are being paid. California is in the worst deficit in modern times.
Current UCOP, campus chancellors, vice chancellors, tenured and non tenured faculty are replaceable by like or more talented individuals. A rose bush blooms after pruning.
Here is what we should do:
18 percent reduction in UCOP salaries and $50 million cut.
18 percent pruned from campus chancellors’, vice chancellors’ salaries.
15 percent trim of tenured faculty salaries, increased teaching load
10 percent decrease in non-tenured faculty salaries, as well as increase research, teaching load
100% elimination of Academic Senate costs, wages at UCOP and all campuses
The UC Board of Regents can begin now to bridge the trust gap with Californians by offering reassurances that UC salaries reflect depressed wages in California. Everyone is replaceable at the University of California system. The sky has not and will not fall.
Californians are reasonable people. Levy no new taxes until an approved balanced budget: Let the Governor and Legislature make the tough-minded (not cold hearted) decisions of elected leadership. Then come to Californians for specified, continuing or new taxes.
Thanking you in advance for your partnership and for standing up for all Californians and the University of California.