Students rally for CSU budget
TUESDAY November 8, 2011 Volume 97, Issue 42 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
facebook.com/dailyaztec twitter: thedailyaztec
SCAN CODE FOR MOBILE CONTENT
SDSU’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT N E W S PA P E R SINCE 1913
INDEX:
SPORTS
ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR
Kevin Smead staff writer Associated Students of San Diego State held a rally for higher education at the end of Campanile Walkway yesterday afternoon. The rally focused on the impact of the $650 million budget cuts approved during the summer and the subsequent $294 fee increase for all California State University students. Attendees participated in the rally in several different ways. Students were able to register to vote or change their voting address if they recently moved to California. In addition to voter registration, students were encouraged to vote in upcoming elections to make their voices heard through the democratic process. The rally also marked the beginning of “The Buck Starts Here!” campaign. Participants were given a red mock-up of a $650 million bill with the face of Gov. Jerry Brown on the center and instructed to write their personal story of how the budget cuts have affected them on the fauxcurrency. These bills were then placed in a box that will travel throughout the CSU system, collecting bills all across the state.
On March 5 of next year, a “March in March” event will be held in which all of the collected bills will be delivered to Sacramento in the form of a peaceful march on the capital. Although the politically charged currency will only travel through the CSU system, the University of California system and community colleges will also take part. A letter will also be addressed to Brown, citing grievances in regards to the state of the CSU budget. While the official box holding the bills will be leaving SDSU and going to CSU San Marcos next Monday, students are still able to submit their personal stories via the bills on campus all semester. “We’re doing this campaign to show that students aren’t going to stay silent anymore,” Nicole Ganz, Legislative Research Commissioner for A.S., said. “(Students) are seeing both budget cuts and class size increases. We want to make sure that students’ voices are being heard and that the governor and legislature know we will remain quiet no longer.” A.S. Vice President of External Affairs Krista Parker said that despite these frustrations, students can make a difference.
The Aztecs tried to improve their Pac-12 record this weekend
“We’re doing this campaign to show that students aren’t going to stay silent anymore.”
2
Nicole Ganz, legislative research commissioner for Associated Students “Sometimes, when you just want to scream, it’s easier to rationalize what you’re feeling by writing it down,” Parker said. “We want students to know that their voices matter.” The rally comes the same week that “trigger cuts” built into the state budget may threaten the entire California education system. If tax revenues are not approximately $4 billion more than the state budget forecast by next month, Brown and the state legislature must assess whether further cuts are needed. As of Sept. 30, the forecast is approximately $700 million behind the goal. The cuts would be enacted in a tiered structure with tier one going into effect Jan. 1 and tier two occurring Feb. 1. If the projected budget
gap for the next fiscal year reaches the first tier of $1 billion, UC and CSU budgets would be trimmed by $100 million each and community college fees would be increased by $10 per unit. If the projected gap reaches the second tier of $2 billion, the school year will be reduced by seven days. Yesterday’s rally should send a clear message to Brown about what the students want, but whether or not the tiered-system cuts go into effect will depend on many factors. Should the additional cuts not occur, which is a goal of the Rally For Higher Education, it would be the first time since the 2007-2008 fiscal year the California education system has received the entire amount of its allotted funding without a cut.
E N T E R TA I N M E N T “DC Universe” changes business model to free-to-play online game
3
Diversity efforts brings Safe Zones Tara Millspaugh staff writer San Diego State is becoming a more friendly environment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community because of Safe Zone training that faculty, staff and students have undergone. Volunteers from the LGBTQ community, whose mission is to ensure a campus atmosphere that is welcoming, informative and supportive, provide Safe Zone training. The program also provides information about LGBTQ issues, support groups and referrals. Once someone has completed the training, he or she receives a multicolored sticker to place on his or her
office or room window that indicates the room is a “Safe Zone.” The goal of this is to ensure a member of the LGBTQ community can feel safe and secure while talking to an ally who has been trained. “It’s like a professionalized stamp to let people who may feel oppressed, know you seriously care about what they have to say and that they can talk to you,” political science sophomore Canae Washington said. Since 2007, a core group of collaborators comprised of students, faculty and staff has devoted its time and resources to meeting the goals of on-campus Safe Zones. The President’s Office, Associated Students and Residential Education are just a few of the SDSU organiza-
tions involved in trying to make SDSU a safer LGBTQ community. Nichola Lawrence is a residence hall coordinator in Zura Residence Hall and finds Safe Zone training beneficial because it informs people of all the different resources on campus that are provided for the LGBTQ community. “The training addition educates you on oppressive attitudes that LGBTQ students face on a daily basis,” Lawrence said. “This I believe is the first step in advocacy.” According to assistant professor of women’s studies Sara Giordano, Safe Zone training provides professors with more than just the recognition of being friendly toward the LGBTQ community, but it also contributes to becoming a better listener.
“The most important part of the training is learning to be a good listener and be a good ally to anyone, and hear students out and not go into problem solving mode right away” Giordana said. As a faculty member who openly identifies herself as queer, Giordano wants to promote a safe environment for students and other faculty who do not feel comfortable or know who to talk to. It is never too late to become an ally for the LGBTQ community. Safe Zone training is offered every semester free of charge. More information about this training can be found at newscenter.sdsu.edu/lgbtq/safezones.
OPINION Read Brody Burns’ take on why the high-speed rail bond is irresponsible.
4
W E AT H E R : SUNNY HIGH: 64 LOW: 45 SUNSET: 4:52PM