Momentum builds in different ways. Yesterday, the state of California saw thousands rally at the Capitol. Students from across the state stood side-by-side with administrators, politicians and others to show that they, together, needed to reinvest in public higher education. Last week, sans large-scale protest, students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo demonstrated the same desire.
The Cal Poly student body voted Wednesday to support a possible tuition increase — which would add $780 to their educational cost by 2014 and generate $14 million per year. While symbolically powerful, the notion that students have accepted they can no longer count on California to fund a worthwhile education exemplifies the same absurd, sobering reality that the state has struggled with for years.
Nevertheless, Cal Poly students and administrators should be congratulated for finding solutions that will allow the school to maintain a stellar academic program. By bringing the issue to students, officials demonstrated the necessary understanding that fee hikes should be collectively accepted rather than dictated from above. While it is unlikely that any student who voted to support the tuition hike did so eagerly, the situation shows what challenges more campuses across the state need to recognize and face head-on.
Likewise, the vote should send a message to politicians in Sacramento who remain blind to the troubles higher education continues to face. Allies like Assembly Speaker John Perez have displayed great tenacity as supporters of the UC, CSU and California Community College systems. But more representatives have to fight against the failing commitment to an affordable, accessible education. Many of those in the capital are former students themselves but have allowed the institutions that gave them so much opportunity to crumble. This is unequivocally wrong.
There is no doubt that the state’s students value the education they receive. Just because we are willing to shoulder more of the burden, however, does not mean taxpayers and lawmakers can neglect their responsibility to pay a fair share. Let the referendum at Cal Poly serve as a wake-up call that demands California do better, not an excuse to allow further cuts to higher education.
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