On Thursday, Sproul Plaza-the locale closely linked to the Free Speech Movement-will play host to a new campus movement to challenge the governing and funding of this university. Though the Free Speech Movement is one of this campus's most well-known legacies, for many years the spirit of student activism at UC Berkeley has seemed to virtually disappear. And it is undoubtedly a good thing that students are finally getting informed and doing something about the long-term problems facing the UC system.

Previously disparate groups of students, faculty, staff and service workers have joined together to push for change at this university. These groups did not originally unite with a common purpose. Indeed, if not for the state budget crisis and nationwide recession, this year may have passed like any other year. Students may have remained apathetic as the state continued to underfund the UC, CSU and community college systems. Faculty and staff may have stood idly by as the UC administrators continue to disinvest in UC students by forcing them to pay higher fees for yet another year in a row. Low-paid workers may have been laid off to save money while administrators received raises, without cries of protest from students or faculty.

But the budget crisis has pushed many of us to the breaking point simultaneously, forcing us to demonstrate the damage these cuts have had on our education and the quality of this university. To this end, on Sept. 24, UC faculty across the state will cancel classes, and opt to protest alongside workers and students; to hold teach-ins educating the community about the history of the budget crisis; to publicize the struggle we face to determine the future of this university. And in this very struggle, we will stand in solidarity with the students and faculty behind the impending walkout.

Yes, students will lose a day of instruction. But it is one small sacrifice for an overarching goal. A walkout may not be the most effective tool to demonstrate to UC and state leaders that the status quo will no longer be tolerated. And it may very well not change anything, at least not immediately. But it could be a significant step in that direction, if students choose to take this opportunity seriously. A poor showing on Thursday could mean a loss of momentum in this movement forged by student and faculty activists; it would allow decision-makers to continue disregarding students' voices, relegating us all to the label of ignorant and ambivalent students.

For the protesters, it's essential to recognize that the issue is not just with the UC Regents or the Office of the President; there is no single body or person responsible for this crisis, and simply scapegoating the adminstration or President Yudof will not advance the cause. Misdirected anger could even derail the nascent movement at this critical juncture, before we have the opportunity to make our point heard and be included as serious participants in determining the university's future.

This walkout should target voters across the state; only they are empowered to institute remedies for the ultimate root of the crisis-the failure of the Legislature to fully fund higher education, partially due to the 2/3 majority requirement. By consolidating and unifying the message the walkout aims to send, we can more coherently argue for fundamental, systemic change, rather than simply forcing administrators to acquiesce to the immediate demands of a loud, hostile and disruptive crowd.

As a board composed entirely of students, we understand the concerns of the community and each of us has personally felt the struggles inflicted by the budget cuts. We acknowledge that administrators largely have their hands tied this year, and we each have to sacrifice in the wake of unprecedented budget cuts. But though we will bear our burden cooperatively this year, that's not to say this system can continue.

Enough is enough-enough tuition hikes, enough pay cuts, enough layoffs, enough enrollment cuts. Now is the time to advocate for future change, and the walkout is an important symbol and initial step to effect this change on a broad scale. To this aim, we urge students to participate in the walkout, educate themselves and show voters that students do value public higher education. Most importantly, do not allow yourselves to be sucked into unproductive extremism. This movement can only be successful if participants remain united behind a cause, and pointing fingers will not achieve that end. It's time to move forward.