Sonoma State Rallies for Statewide Day of Action

Sonoma State University today joined hundreds of students and teachers throughout the 23-campus California State University system who protested the state's imminent budget cuts and teacher layoffs. 

David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State, who helped organize Wednesday's rally — with the motto "take class action, demand quality education."

"Things are going on today coast to coast," McCuan said. "The California Faculty Association joined with student groups to raise awareness. We need to take serious the impact of the budget cuts and look at what it means for next year."

“We are well aware of the budget issues our state faces,” said Lillian Taiz, president of the California Faculty Association in a statement. “But, too many Californians have already lost their homes and their jobs; we will not let California lose its public universities."

"We cannot cut back on training our state’s future workforce and then expect our economy to thrive. We cannot give up on making sure every one of us has the opportunity to get an education."

Teacher and student groups said they want major reform. Some priorities include affordable, accessible, high quality education and calling on high paid college administrators to give back some perks.

According to the faculty association, Chancellor Charles Reed receives $451,500 in yearly compensation, a car allowance, a free house and other perks exclusive to CSU executives.

"His administration has wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight legislation that would bring transparency to the CSU that could help to eliminate waste. The CSU administration’s priorities are misplaced—these funds should be spent on instruction," the association said in a statement.

Read more about Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed cuts to the state education system here. It's something Rohnert Park Patch contributor Erin Guenther feels strongly about.