Story and Photos by David Maung

Tens of thousands of university students, faculty and others rallied today on university  campuses throughout California to protest unprecedented budget cuts to public education and related social services.

Faced with a still struggling economy and a $20 billion deficit, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been asking for, and getting, massive budget cuts to the state’s world class public education system from grade schools to universities.

These cuts, which figure in the billions of dollars, have resulted in university faculty and staff layoff, tuition increases, fewer classes yet larger groups of students and cutbacks in other educational services. Programs designed to help low income and minority students have also been on the chopping block.

As the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems become increasing more expensive and provide fewer opportunities many students end up attending community colleges, whose budgets have also been deeply cut.

“There’s this huge bottleneck with these budget cuts that is increasing the competition for classes, keeping many students out,” said Justin Chacon, 38, a professor of Chicano studies at San Diego City College, in San Diego, California, where one third of the student population in Hispanic.

“As they cut courses at the UC and CSU campuses more students who are able to get into the UC or able to get into the CSU are now going to the community colleges, which has created a tremendous pressure on us,” said Chacon. “It’s estimated that this year a quarter of a million community college students will be squeezed out.”

Community colleges have traditionally been more accessible to low income and minority students, where they can learn vocational skills or study to move on to a higher learning institution. Community colleges often are the places for new immigrants to learn skills and English, allowing them to better integrate into society.

At City College about 1000 people gathered for a lively rally at the campus center. The faces varied widely; from pierced noses and Che Guevara T-shirts, to young African women with head scarves. The majority of faces were some shade of brown or black.

Some classes were conducted in solidarity with a student walkout and a free speech session was held on the lawn.

Among them was Sandra Galindo, 43, a single mother from Mexico with three daughters and the dream to study education and work with children of migrants.

Yet, like thousands of others budget cuts have severely impacted Galindo’s ability to continue her studies. Gal-indo’s financial assistance comes with the stipulation that she finish her studies within five years. But, with many required classes cut she is continually postponing her education.

“Mi tiempo está contado, yo tengo que apurarme lo más que pueda porque después de este tiempo yo tengo que entrar a trabajar y voy a seguir estudiando pero me va tocar mucho más tiempo terminar”, dijo Galindo.

“Es una presión constante, te ayuda pero no te ayuda, te dan poquito pero te lo cobran con sangre, tenemos úlceras, tenemos gastritis, no dormimos, es mucho estrés, es ayuda entre comidas”, añadio Galindo.

Her story was one of many that were recounted at the rally. Many students both young and old must work to maintain themselves while studying and live under the specter of a ticking clock as time runs out on their financial support.

For Naomi Salas, 25, her studies in sociology have been a revolving door.

People are only supposed to be here for two years and then they can transfer on to a four year university,” said Salas.

“But most of the students have been here more than four years. I’ve been here six years because there’re no classes. And, if you drop behind they put you on probation and you get disqualified from financial aid, even if the reason you have to drop your classes is because you have no money to get books.”

The sentiment is echoed by teachers who wish they could meet the demands of their students.

“We’re having to do a lot more with a whole lot less,” added Chacon.