CNN-(Fullerton, Calif.) California State University Fullerton students protested the current budget cuts to the school causing a 32% increase in tuition and 10% decrease in pay for teachers.

On July 21, 2009 CSUF officials sent out an urgent notice to all students that their tuition would increase only one month before classes were to begin. At the same time, teachers were told that they would have to take a mandatory cut in pay and take nine furlough days for the semester, three mandatory, six voluntarily. This also caused many classes to be canceled, even those necessary for seniors to graduate on time.

Over 200 students walked through the quad, the Titan Student Union, and through the Steven G. Mihaylo Hall, the business and economics building. The crowd started out with only about 30 students, but grew with faculty and professors included as they marched around campus. With chants and signs, the signal was clear, “hell no to furloughs!”

The California State Budget of Trustees voted to raise the tuition due to the budget cuts of $54.5 million, according to the CSUF website of frequently asked questions:

How much has the university’s budget been reduced?

State budget reductions, unfunded mandates, campus priorities, and loan obligations required a Cal State Fullerton budget reduction for 2009-10 of $54.5 million. These reductions break out as follows:

·        $38.7 million budget reductions from the state

·        $4.1 million in unfunded mandatory costs (e.g., faculty/staff benefits)

·        $5.2 million to support campus priorities identified by PRBC (e.g. faculty searches, research support, etc.)

·        $6.5M to repay campus loan obligations

These reductions have been addressed via the following:

·        $17.0 million in additional student fees ($15.9 million from 20% state university fee increase, net of financial aid and $1.1M from 10% nonresident tuition increase)

·        $17.7 million savings from faculty/staff furloughs ($8.3 million from staff and $9.4 million from faculty furlough savings)

·        $1.0 million from utility savings

·        $15.3 million in division budget reductions

·        $3.5 million from the lottery fund to supplement instructional activities

According to a flyer spread about the campus, it’s the administrators on campus that make the final decisions about the budget as it pertains to CSUF. With this in mind, the decisions like cancelling classes, laying off teachers, and closing the library at night while the gym stays open.

Harriet Edwards, a professor of mathematics at CSUF addresses the issue of the 2/3 vote needed in order to pass a budget in California as a downfall to the university’s budget needs.

Lauren Vondracek, who spoke at the protest, said that they are not only against the tuition hikes, but they also wanted to show their support for the great teachers at CSUF.

The next protest is scheduled for October 13^th and plans are being made to continue until their voices are heard.