Alliance for the CSU

            Imagine you are an investor. You find a market that for every dollar you pay into it, you get $4.41 back in revenue. Would you make this investment? You would have to be an idiot not to continually pay into that market. What if I told you this market is the CSU system. For every one dollar that the state puts into the CSU system, $4.41 is generated in spending for the Californian economy. In 2003 the CSU system (students and graduates) generated $3.11 billion in tax revenue.

            I went to a rally to encourage students, facility, and Chicoians to get involved to help changed the proposed $386 million dollar budget cut to the CSU system. This rally was headed by California State University, Chico President Zing with four 4 other guest speakers. Zing set an aggressive tone which traveled through the rest of the speakers.

            Fact after fact was produced about why we should “fight” for funding. The rally talked about three major things these budget cuts could affect; the economy, access, and infrastructure. For example, did you know that over four million dollars is brought into Chico just from students alone?  California could be the fifth state in the United States to spend more money on prisons that on universities. If these budget cuts happen, over 10,000 prospective students would lose the chance to go to college at a CSU.

             Nearing the end, the floor was opened to questions and comments. One man brought up a good point; we need to get the people that matter, senators, representatives, and our governor to come hear these things. This way they can understand why they need to change their minds about taking $386 million away from the CSU. Without these people, we can not expect change, we must fight for it.

            Overall the rally was enlightening. I had no idea about the severity of this budget cut to the future of California and our CSU system. After the rally, I filled out a card to become part of the alliance which is something I rarely do. If you are interested in getting involved or want more information, please visit www.allianceforthecsu.org. Also on April 21^st there will be a rally-march starting at Raley Field and walking to the state capitol. I urge you to get involved and help save the future of California.