California students are organizing a campaign to keep collegetuition from rising.
Student groups from the California State University and Universityof California systems are fearful that the state’s expected $12billion deficit will lead to an increase in student fees, a decreasein financial aid or significant budget cuts.
A “No Fee Increase” campaign is being led by the CaliforniaStudent Association and the University of California Association. Thegroups want the governor and the legislature to keep higher educationa main priority when cuts need to be made.
” With everything on the table, it is critical that the people inSacramento hear the voices of students loud and clear,” Laura Kerr,director of Governmental Relations for CSSA, said.
The CSSA and UCSA board of directors approved the campaignunanimously last month, but the students have been organizing itsince early January. The kickoff for the campaign will be April 1,and it will run through May 13.
During that time, the groups will be writing letters, lobbying toprevent any increase in student fees and promoting the importance ofhigher education’s accessibility.
Students, legislators and Gov. Gray Davis are the main targets ofthe campaign. The members are also writing letters to mayors, campuspresidents, community leaders and celebrities for support.
“I feel really good about the campaign,” Brandon Kline, CSSALegislative Affairs committee chair, said. “We have very dedicatedstudents and staff.”
People between 18-25 are the least likely age group to vote. Butthe campaign members hope to show that students are aware of theissues and are actively trying to make a difference in their futureby relaying a strong message to legislators and to the governor.
“Students need to know that in the 1990s, the last time we were inan economic crunch, we lost big time,” Kerr said. “That means somestudents had to work more hours at jobs, take out more loans or dropout.”
Students working for the “No Fee Increase” campaign want toprevent this from happening again.
“If fees are increased, the CSU budget is slashed or financial aidis cut, every single student will feel the result in their pocketbooks now and far into the future,” Kerr said.
