Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Report from Today's AS Senate Meeting
Today at the AS Senate Meeting, many students who were involved with the events on March 4th showed up to speak their minds in front the Student Senate. The meeting was held in the Grand Salon of the USU at 2 pm. Amongst the students in the gallery today were Kenya Parham, Jonnae Thompson, Justin Marx, Terrence Stewart and Tosin Awosika. This meeting was the first senate meeting since March 4th.
Justin was one of the first to stand and speak during the open forum session of the meeting. “What is your position on what took place March 4th?” was his opening question. Justin Marx is happens to be one of the five students currently facing rioting charges for participating in civil disobedience and peacefully protesting. He went to say, “…this was state wide; k-PhD,” not just CSUN students. The sentiments of his 3 minute speech were that of solidarity amongst all students across the state. Justin ended what he had to say with, “I feel nothing less than pride for what happened on March 4th.”
Beatriz Ortiz, a professor in the Central American Studies department, also spoke on behalf of the students involved on March 4th. She began by saying, “Before we criminalize these students, it’s important that we carry out a full investigation.” She made reference to President Joelene Koester’s premature statement saying, “…people have quickly made statements…” without having all the facts and without having been there to witness firsthand what took place. She called out the AS senate and all administration for being “quick to judge” instead of lending support. “These students are victims,” Ortiz stated in regards to the police brutality against the student protesters. She urged all of the students and AS senator to stay united in this struggle for education.
Terrence Stewart, president of the Black Student Union, also took his turn at the mic and shared some words with the senators. “Know that the police decided to fight us…We have to work together and not try to stand as individuals in this [fight]…Too much energy is being directed at trying to keep student voices trapped.”
A student from California State University Long Beach, Omar Gonzalez, was in attendance and he spoke on the importance and necessity for what took place on March 4th. His catchy speech and politician-demeanor was indeed captivating. If the senate didn’t feel what the other students had to say, hopefully they could relate to their fellow “politician”. He asked the crowd, “Do you know what yesterday was?” A few people were like, “Yeah. It was March 8th.” Omar said, “No. Yesterday was March 4th. Today is March 4th. Tomorrow is March 4th.” He urged the students to continue their fight because we’re not going to make it passed March 4th until the demands are met.
Once the open forum was over and it came time for President Abel Pacheco to give his report, there was some tension in the room. Since March 4th, there has been some build up of animosity towards him from other students. The feeling is that he did not do nearly enough as the leader of the entire student body on day of the march. There were comments floating around referring to him as a “sale-out”. However, Abel argues he did all he could. He promises he did all that was in his power given his life at home and his load of classes. I’m inclined to agree with Able, if his excuse is true. His family needed him and that took precedence over the march. That is understandable. Abel did state that as a senate, the consensus is full support for the students and the march. He was not clear though on whether or not the senate was still in support of the students given the pending rioting charges. AS Senate says that they’ll be providing a bus for the march on Sacramento later this month. (All the information concerning the March on Sacramento will be available here soon) President Pacheco has vowed to make himself available for anyone who would like to speak with him one on one regarding the protest and the students involved.
In response to President Pacheco’s report, Senator Castillas spoke. “I commend the students for March 4th… Only 3 or 4 senators of 18 were even at the protest…” His position was senate is not doing enough to support the students of CSUN. “We only got one bus for the March on Sacramento. We should be supplying at least 2.” He was obviously disillusioned with his fellow senators and for all the right reasons. I appreciate his sentiments and courage in defending the student protestors against the entire AS board.
This fight is far from over. The priority now has to be ensuring that those 5 brave students have adequate legal representation on their court dates later this month. Their courage should not be punished with criminal records. Do your part. Attend a meeting. Write the media or and anyone who will listen.
Stay posted with all the latest updates here in iNarrate.
Justin was one of the first to stand and speak during the open forum session of the meeting. “What is your position on what took place March 4th?” was his opening question. Justin Marx is happens to be one of the five students currently facing rioting charges for participating in civil disobedience and peacefully protesting. He went to say, “…this was state wide; k-PhD,” not just CSUN students. The sentiments of his 3 minute speech were that of solidarity amongst all students across the state. Justin ended what he had to say with, “I feel nothing less than pride for what happened on March 4th.”
Beatriz Ortiz, a professor in the Central American Studies department, also spoke on behalf of the students involved on March 4th. She began by saying, “Before we criminalize these students, it’s important that we carry out a full investigation.” She made reference to President Joelene Koester’s premature statement saying, “…people have quickly made statements…” without having all the facts and without having been there to witness firsthand what took place. She called out the AS senate and all administration for being “quick to judge” instead of lending support. “These students are victims,” Ortiz stated in regards to the police brutality against the student protesters. She urged all of the students and AS senator to stay united in this struggle for education.
Terrence Stewart, president of the Black Student Union, also took his turn at the mic and shared some words with the senators. “Know that the police decided to fight us…We have to work together and not try to stand as individuals in this [fight]…Too much energy is being directed at trying to keep student voices trapped.”
A student from California State University Long Beach, Omar Gonzalez, was in attendance and he spoke on the importance and necessity for what took place on March 4th. His catchy speech and politician-demeanor was indeed captivating. If the senate didn’t feel what the other students had to say, hopefully they could relate to their fellow “politician”. He asked the crowd, “Do you know what yesterday was?” A few people were like, “Yeah. It was March 8th.” Omar said, “No. Yesterday was March 4th. Today is March 4th. Tomorrow is March 4th.” He urged the students to continue their fight because we’re not going to make it passed March 4th until the demands are met.
Once the open forum was over and it came time for President Abel Pacheco to give his report, there was some tension in the room. Since March 4th, there has been some build up of animosity towards him from other students. The feeling is that he did not do nearly enough as the leader of the entire student body on day of the march. There were comments floating around referring to him as a “sale-out”. However, Abel argues he did all he could. He promises he did all that was in his power given his life at home and his load of classes. I’m inclined to agree with Able, if his excuse is true. His family needed him and that took precedence over the march. That is understandable. Abel did state that as a senate, the consensus is full support for the students and the march. He was not clear though on whether or not the senate was still in support of the students given the pending rioting charges. AS Senate says that they’ll be providing a bus for the march on Sacramento later this month. (All the information concerning the March on Sacramento will be available here soon) President Pacheco has vowed to make himself available for anyone who would like to speak with him one on one regarding the protest and the students involved.
In response to President Pacheco’s report, Senator Castillas spoke. “I commend the students for March 4th… Only 3 or 4 senators of 18 were even at the protest…” His position was senate is not doing enough to support the students of CSUN. “We only got one bus for the March on Sacramento. We should be supplying at least 2.” He was obviously disillusioned with his fellow senators and for all the right reasons. I appreciate his sentiments and courage in defending the student protestors against the entire AS board.
This fight is far from over. The priority now has to be ensuring that those 5 brave students have adequate legal representation on their court dates later this month. Their courage should not be punished with criminal records. Do your part. Attend a meeting. Write the media or and anyone who will listen.
Stay posted with all the latest updates here in iNarrate.
74 year old Karren Baird-Olson Attacked by Lapd
Short Bio
Show your support for her. She was one of few faculty who stood out there with the students. She is one of fewer faculty who, after all that happened, still show support for the students facing charges.
- Ph.D. Sociology (Criminology, Race and Ethnic Relations), University of New Mexico (Albuquerque), 1994 Dissertation: “The Structural and Interpersonal Victimization and Survival of Plains Indian Women on a Northwest Reservation”
- M.A. Sociology (Criminology), University of Montana (Missoula), 1984
- B.S. English, Art, and Education, Montana State University (Bozeman), 1962
Budget cuts and fee hikes enrage Cal State Northridge Students
March 12, 1:12 PM
Politics in Education ExaminerAna Kasparian
A rusty, unfinished, and depressingly hideous structure stands erect in front of Cal State University Northridge. The construction sight was meant to be the Valley Performing Arts Center, but now looks like an abondoned frame of scrap metal with huge hills of concrete hardened by the rain. The building was expected to bring the University a great deal of money as soon as the project was completed. But as of now, CSUN has no idea if and when the project will be done.
In early January of this year, the center's construction came to an immediate halt after the State Department of Finance ordered the CSU system and other state entities to temporarily stop all state funded construction projects. The budget crsis that California is currently facing has made a huge impact on public schools and universities. CSUN has directed the CSU system to tell contractors to expect at least a 90-day suspension of all projects. So the ugly, half competed stuctures can be found on several public universtiy campuses thoughout the greater Los Angeles County.
Construction projects aren't the only thing getting hit by the budget cuts. So many professors have been laid off that graduate and undergraduate students are crammed into the same classes. In fact, fewer classes are offered in general, and tuition fees have been increased by 10 percent.
On Wednesday dozens of infuriated CSUN students rallied together in protest of the budget cuts and tuition increases. Although hundreds of millions of dollars have been trimmed from the CSU system in recent years, another $50 million could be cut from the budget. Students are demanding that administrators take a stand to prevent future cuts from occuring.
CSUN student Alejandro Hernandez told ABC 7 that "The fees have been increasing, classes have been cut. So what's going to happen? How important is education if they're not willing to put money into it?"
It's hard to say whether or not the protest will make a difference, but this may be the beginning of more frequent organized demonstrations by students who are fed up by paying more for second-rate education.
Politics in Education ExaminerAna KasparianA rusty, unfinished, and depressingly hideous structure stands erect in front of Cal State University Northridge. The construction sight was meant to be the Valley Performing Arts Center, but now looks like an abondoned frame of scrap metal with huge hills of concrete hardened by the rain. The building was expected to bring the University a great deal of money as soon as the project was completed. But as of now, CSUN has no idea if and when the project will be done.
In early January of this year, the center's construction came to an immediate halt after the State Department of Finance ordered the CSU system and other state entities to temporarily stop all state funded construction projects. The budget crsis that California is currently facing has made a huge impact on public schools and universities. CSUN has directed the CSU system to tell contractors to expect at least a 90-day suspension of all projects. So the ugly, half competed stuctures can be found on several public universtiy campuses thoughout the greater Los Angeles County.
Construction projects aren't the only thing getting hit by the budget cuts. So many professors have been laid off that graduate and undergraduate students are crammed into the same classes. In fact, fewer classes are offered in general, and tuition fees have been increased by 10 percent.
On Wednesday dozens of infuriated CSUN students rallied together in protest of the budget cuts and tuition increases. Although hundreds of millions of dollars have been trimmed from the CSU system in recent years, another $50 million could be cut from the budget. Students are demanding that administrators take a stand to prevent future cuts from occuring.
CSUN student Alejandro Hernandez told ABC 7 that "The fees have been increasing, classes have been cut. So what's going to happen? How important is education if they're not willing to put money into it?"
It's hard to say whether or not the protest will make a difference, but this may be the beginning of more frequent organized demonstrations by students who are fed up by paying more for second-rate education.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
March 4, 2010
Day of Action; LAPD Out of Control Click Here for More Photos