"Why we're protesting, part one
March 4 will be a day of strikes and protests to defend public education for students, teachers, faculty, campus workers and members of the community in California. The movement to save our schools is building at every level of the public education system.
We asked some of the people organizing for the day of action to explain what they're fighting for. We'll publish their statements over three days."
March 4 will be a day of strikes and protests to defend public education for students, teachers, faculty, campus workers and members of the community in California. The movement to save our schools is building at every level of the public education system.
We asked some of the people organizing for the day of action to explain what they're fighting for. We'll publish their statements over three days."
Why we're protesting, part one March 4 will be a day of strikes and protests to defend public education for students, teachers, faculty, campus workers and members of the community in California. The movement to save our schools is building at every level of the public education system. We asked some of the people organizing for the day of action to explain what they're fighting for. We'll publish their statements over three days.  Fresno State protesters demonstrating against budget cuts and furloughs last October (Diane M. Blair)Brian Malone Graduate student, University of California Santa Cruz I AM a graduate student in literature, and my department (along with every other department in the humanities) has been among the hardest hit at University of California Santa Cruz. Funding for graduate students is scarce: I've watched many of my friends and colleagues take leaves of absence this year, and I wonder if I will need to do the same next year. But I'm not just angry about my own uncertain future; I'm angry for my students. The supposedly prestigious UC education that my students are receiving is merely a ghost of what it was even five years ago. Course enrollments are already too large, and increasing yearly. Teaching assistants and discussion sections are being cut. Libraries may soon be closed for days at a time. Written assignments are being reduced or replaced with multiple-choice exams. Retention programs for economically disadvantaged students and students of color are being slashed. And for this, my students--those who can afford to remain in school--will pay 32 percent more in tuition. I can't stand for this. And neither should you. The UCSC March 4 Strike Committee--a body made up of students, faculty, and |