At the March 4 rally to defend public education; a few organizations on campus came out in full force.
We at the Chronicle wanted to share the heavy hitters on campus so you know who is truly active in your community, defending your rights, and worth your time.
The Big Three:
Cross Cultural Center
· Coordinator of the Cross Cultural Center: Tamara Holder
· Purpose: The Cross Cultural Center focuses on issues of race and ethnicity. In this space its programs, workshops, advising and support services combine to create a place for students to explore issues of identity, develop political and social communities that benefit both individual students and the entire campus in fostering a community that embraces diversity.
· Participation: Provided the space for clubs to gather throughout the week to work on posters. Also distributed flyers and kept awareness going for the issue to all students that entered the CCC.
S.Q.E (Students for Quality Education)
· President: Nathonas Duro, organizer of the walkout last quarter. “Public education should be available to everyone, not privatized. The failed leadership of board of directors, the chancellor, and Governor Schwarzenegger should not have direct consequences or burden on the students. They should work for us, not against us.”
· Purpose: Formed by students in the California State University system in 2007 to raise awareness and build a student movement for educational rights in public higher education.
· Participation: Teamed up with California Faculty Association for rally to bring awareness of issue to students.
· Preparation: Certain students attended meetings to learn all the facts that about budget cuts then brought the information back to campus to spread the awareness with student body with this rally.
M.E.Ch.A (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan)
* President: David Huante. "Student awareness is the key factor for this rally. Students see the fee increases but do not think of the long-term outcome that will hinder the future of the CSU public system. We need to put pressure on legislators."
* Purpose: A nationwide organization started in 1969 to address the many issues facing the Chicano community at the time. Since then, MEChA has changed to fit the evolving, but ever-present needs of our community. One of the main issues MEChA has always addressed is improving the state of education and expanding educational opportunities for our youth.
* Participation: Many members can understand lower income students and their family’s frustrations to pay the rising fees.
* Preparation: The club prepared by making banners, posters, and silhouette cutouts throughout the week. The silhouette cutouts represent all the students that will be denied attendance to a higher education due to these budget cuts.
Other Notable Players:
Sociology Club-
* President Nathonas Duro.
* Purpose: The increase of students’ awareness of sociological issues and events. The Sociology Club offers resources such as books and a supportive atmosphere to involve the community and is open to all majors.
E.B.O.N.I (Eliminating Bias, Oppression, Negativity, and Ignorance)
· President Christopher Beckom
· Purpose: an organization trying to address the needs of the local community with different facets that include events such as the awareness of drug prevention to the youth.
M.S.A. (Muslim Student Association)
· President Kaneez Batool
· Purpose: an organization devoted to strengthening the Muslim community through service and activism, educating both Muslims and people of other faiths about the religion of Islam, and facilitating a better environment for students on campus.
Kappa Delta
· President Stephanie Paniagua
· Purpose: A national organization that promotes the formation of friendship among college women, the encouragement of literature and education; the promotion of social interest and the furtherance of charitable purposes.
Honorable Mention:
California Faculty Association
* A union of 23,000 professionals that include professors, librarians, lecturers, counselors, and coaches who teach in the Cal State University System, they stand for quality education for students, fairness for those who earn their living as teachers, and policies that ensure access to higher education.
* “This is not only affecting the universities but also K-12 where teachers are being cut off left and right as student numbers rise,” said CSUSB sociology professor and CFA member Dr. Little.
Politics were ever present at the rally and this included fresh politicians trying to express their views on education. One in particular took time to personally speak with me, Renea Wickman (assembly member running for 63rd district). “We have to be serious about educating our community members since only 60% of seniors are graduating from San Bernardino County Schools, which is unacceptable," Wickman said. "I will support legislation that gives continued support and positive reinforcement to creative and innovative teachers, institutions and students.”
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