Thousands protest against cuts

Approximately 200 Cal Poly students and faculty members assembled at Voorhis Park last Thursday to begin their trip to Downtown Los Angeles to participate in the nationwide march against further education cuts.

The protest in Pershing Square in Los Angeles drew a crowd of approximately 2,000 people as part of the National Day of Action to Defend Education. The event was supported by several organizations, unions, faculty and students from K-12, UC and CSU schools and community colleges.

Students and faculty began the rally on campus by marching and chanting. The chants called on students to take a stand and make demands.

The students put together a satirical skit, in which President Michael Ortiz, Provost Marten denBoer and Chancellor Charles Reed were portrayed as allies with “Governor Arnie.” The students playing the administrators wore big name tags with the names of those whom they were portraying.

Although the skit caused lots of laughter, it also stirred strong emotions among the crowd.

DenBoer, played by Kelly Kermode, a third-year sociology and gender ethnicity and multicultural studies student, nonchalantly discussed the insignificance of certain majors and the power he has to cut them.

Students from the crowd were heard booing and yelling in opposition to department cuts.

Javier Gomez, a third-year sociology student, said the skit was performed to raise awareness of the power administrators and legislators have. He said it wasn’t done to poke fun or humiliate school administrators.

“They are gambling with our education and that is something we should not support,” said Gomez.

Gomez was exhausted from all the chanting and walking, yet was optimistic about the march.

“This is just the beginning. There are many more steps ahead,” said Gomez. “It was great to be out there and show them what we can do as a group. Together, hopefully we can make some change.”

Gwen Urey, California Faculty Association chapter president and an urban planning professor at Cal Poly, was happy with the collaborative effort from the various groups.

“Because it was coinciding with several other events, I think the state is starting to take notice,” she said.

Urey also said the parental involvement was also a huge accomplishment. She added that as support from all angles gains momentum, it will make a much greater impact on educational policies.

Dorothy Wills, a professor of anthropology, was impressed with the maturity of the students who attended the protest. 

“These young people are smart and very serious,” said Wills. “They understood the issues and were not there to play. They had a good spirit to them and I think people will be impressed by what they have to say.”

The movement stems from the severe cuts sustained by education.

Wills said she hopes the legislators and governor will pay attention to the demands of the demonstrators.

“They need to solve this problem instead of tossing thousands of kids onto the streets,” said Wills. “That is not the future of California.”

Shelley Bruce, a fourth-year fine arts and gender ethnicity and muticultural studies student, believes the protest will demonstrate the power the public has when congregated in large masses.

Bruce said the theme “No decisions about us without us” is the message they are trying to get across to Cal Poly administrators and lawmakers.

David Segal, a fourth-year graphic design student, said he enjoyed the experience of voicing his dissatisfaction along with a large and diverse group of people on the state’s critical budget issues.

“I was happy to see such a large community unite and fight for what I believe in,” said Segal.

Segal said Sacramento should get the point and if they haven’t, students will just have to scream louder and come together in larger masses. 

Melissa Camp, a third-year math student, was satisfied with the demonstration but was uncertain about the impact it will make at Sacramento.

“I know that it’s not over and more needs to be done,” said Camp. “They [Sacramento] hear us, but we have to keep pushing the issue.”

Alec Trejos, a first-year mechanical engineering student, said he was tired of the cuts and is concerned for his education.

His presence at the protest was his way of communicating his disgust with the education system, to legislators at the state capitol, he said.

“Our resources are being cut, tuition is going up and classroom time has decreased,” said Trejos. “We need to stop this.”

Andres Valdez, a first-year psychology student, attended the event because of his concern about the limited classes. Valdez said his stay at Cal Poly may be prolonged due to the limited availability of classes.

Valdez hopes the march will bring a reasonable resolution to the table.

“I’m proud to be part of this movement and I hope we can bring some serious changes,” said Valdez.

Urey said the growth and passion of the student movement on campus is remarkable.

“The student organizers are a force to be reckoned with,” said Urey. “They really put together an amazing event.”

Reach Larissa Castanon at: news@thepolypost.com