@issue: the walkout
.jpg "Tony Petersen")
On last Wednesday afternoon, an estimated 400 student-activists marched on California State University, Fresno’s campus, protesting budget cuts, higher fees and class cuts. The “walkout” was an impressive show of solidarity and as The Fresno Bee put it, “succeeded in publicizing complaints about rising costs and reduced benefits.”
And I, like the majority of my peers, did not participate in it.
Not to be a “Debbie Downer,” but 400 students out of the more than 20,000 that are enrolled at Fresno State is not a very inspiring number.
There are many reasons for this. Apathy is one. A lot of us students don’t pay for our college education. Our parents bare the brunt of raised costs. Maybe we didn’t get a class cut (none of mine were), and many of us receive a substantial amount of financial aid. Simply put, some of us weren’t significantly affected by the recent pecuniary hardships for the California State University system.
Some students had to attend class and couldn’t afford missing out on a day’s education. We are trying to make the best of a bad situation, and missing a day of class is counter-productive. We need to get our money’s worth.
(Quick anecdote: sitting in class, I could hear people sprinting frantically through our hallways disruptively drumming away, screaming, “Walk out for your education!” Right, leave class for my education. I guess the student could not see the irony of his rallying cry.)
What will this protest accomplish? It’s hard to imagine any considerable effect. Sure, the administration may make some concessions. But the simple fact is that they must pay for all of the luxuries we enjoy here on campus. It’s not as if Dr. John Welty is President Obama and can run a $1 trillion deficit—he must pay the bills. And, harsh though it may be, they (the administration) did what they had to do.
Yes, this whole situation could have been handled much better. Perhaps cutting classes at the last minute was not the best way to foster a top-notch learning climate. Raising tuition costs twice in the same year may not have been the best way to lure excellent students to our campus. Instituting furlough days probably won’t induce too many cheers from students and faculty. Mistakes were undoubtedly made.
It’s time the university reviewed its enrollment process. Brutal though it may be, all are not college material. Those without the qualifications should not be allowed to fill up classrooms.
Those slacking off on campus should not be given chance after chance to redeem themselves. If it’s proven that a student cannot handle the challenges that college represents, it may be time to cut the cord.
Though I am not normally a proponent of tax increases, Assembly Bill 656, the bill that would create a 9.9 percent oil severance tax to help fund higher education, seems like a decent proposition. Revenues must increase, and a smart way to achieve this is AB 656.
But none of these solutions will be procured by this “walkout.” For all it does is focus on slogans calling education a “right” and saying it should be “free.” This doesn’t solve anything.
Our complaints may be publicized, but who’s listening?
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22 Responses to @issue: the walkout
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Unless a student’s parents have an insanely large amount of money I do not see how this would be any less of an issue. Also, I have spoken with students in the past that just don’t care because “the state is paying for their education.” I’d like to hear what these students have to say when they don’t get enough money to pay for their classes etcetera in the future because the state has to cut back on the amount awarded for financial aid and fees have gone up again. Basically, students need to think much deeper about this issue and prepare for the future, where there will most likely be far worse financial issues unless something is done starting at the local level and continuing all the way up to Sacramento.
That right students! Apathy is the way to go about it! Nonaction is the best route! just fold your arms and allow “mistakes undoubtedly made” to continue to be held UNACCOUNTABLE! Let’s join in and be part of the problem! Let’s accept the fact that this university BUILDS AND BUILDS AND BUILDS AND BUILDS AND BUILDS (ex: savemart center, campus point, athl stadium, etc) AT THE EXPENSE OF US STUDENTS!
To me “walking out for education” means to walkout as a means of advocacy for an accessible, affordable, and quality education. Furloughs mean MISSING CLASS and they are NOT PRODUCTIVE, so lets accept UNPRODUCTIVENESS THROUGH OUR SUPPORT OF FURLOUGHS!
and lets not forget who’s NOT listening: because negotiating demands and SOLUTIONS presented to Welty/Admins DEFINITELY mean NO ONE IS LISTENING! right?
That right students! Apathy is the way to go about it! Nonaction is the best route! just fold your arms and allow “mistakes undoubtedly made” to continue to be held UNACCOUNTABLE! Let’s join in and be part of the problem! Let’s accept the fact that this university BUILDS AND BUILDS AND BUILDS AND BUILDS AND BUILDS (ex: savemart center, campus point, athl stadium, etc) AT THE EXPENSE OF US STUDENTS!
To me “walking out for education” means to walkout as a means of advocacy for an accessible, affordable, and quality education. Furloughs mean MISSING CLASS and they are NOT PRODUCTIVE, so lets accept UNPRODUCTIVENESS THROUGH OUR SUPPORT OF FURLOUGHS!
and lets not forget who’s NOT listening: because negotiating demands and SOLUTIONS presented to Welty/Admins DEFINITELY mean NO ONE IS LISTENING! right?
Assembly Bill 656 will not help higher education. None of the revenue raised by it is appropriated towards education. But that won’t stop people from telling you that.
Assembly Bill 656 will not help higher education. None of the revenue raised by it is appropriated towards education. But that won’t stop people from telling you that.
Last time I read the bill it clearly states that it will generate money for higher education. I’m not sure what bill you’re reading “pana.”
Last time I read the bill it clearly states that it will generate money for higher education. I’m not sure what bill you’re reading “pana.”
that’s right students! keep your nose in your books and NEVER NEVER question authority! Pretend like nothing is wrong and don’t you dare do something about it. Afterall, IGNORANCE IS BLISS!
that’s right students! keep your nose in your books and NEVER NEVER question authority! Pretend like nothing is wrong and don’t you dare do something about it. Afterall, IGNORANCE IS BLISS!
that walkout was pathetic. congratulations, you accomplished nothing except annoying people.
that walkout was pathetic. congratulations, you accomplished nothing except annoying people.
Agreed. Unless you bring a solution to the matter, like what tony did in his article, than no progress will ever be made. Just a bunch of pissed off students whining about tuition annoying the hell out of other people. Honestly, why the hell did they pick Wednesday at 12 o clock, possibly the busiest time of the week for classes?
Agreed. Unless you bring a solution to the matter, like what tony did in his article, than no progress will ever be made. Just a bunch of pissed off students whining about tuition annoying the hell out of other people. Honestly, why the hell did they pick Wednesday at 12 o clock, possibly the busiest time of the week for classes?
Uninformed people are interesting. It’s interesting how they think they know everything about an issue when they do not really know anything involving the issue at all, just as “lame” and “fun furloughs” have shown.
Uninformed people are interesting. It’s interesting how they think they know everything about an issue when they do not really know anything involving the issue at all, just as “lame” and “fun furloughs” have shown.
I am not uninformed. I know what’s going on. I just think the people doing the walkout are stupid because there was zero effect. So maybe henchman number two can find something more important to do than support a walkout.
I am not uninformed. I know what’s going on. I just think the people doing the walkout are stupid because there was zero effect. So maybe henchman number two can find something more important to do than support a walkout.
Students should protest the way the Buddhists did in Vietnam and light someone on fire. That’ll get some attention
Students should protest the way the Buddhists did in Vietnam and light someone on fire. That’ll get some attention
JUNIOR: thats a great idea, will you volunteer for it ?
JUNIOR: thats a great idea, will you volunteer for it ?
Unless a student's parents have an insanely large amount of money I do not see how this would be any less of an issue. Also, I have spoken with students in the past that just don't care because “the state is paying for their education.” I'd like to hear what these students have to say when they don't get enough money to pay for their classes etcetera in the future because the state has to cut back on the amount awarded for financial aid and fees have gone up again. Basically, students need to think much deeper about this issue and prepare for the future, where there will most likely be far worse financial issues unless something is done starting at the local level and continuing all the way up to Sacramento.