Protests in California over budget cuts to colleges

I've been busy today and only had the news on for a little bit early this morning but I heard that there were protests at other public college's today...Georgia and New York I believe. It looks like tuition increases and staff reductions are not just a California problem.

These babies need to grow up. In the real world things are paid for with money. When you do not have enough money you must cut spending. We are spoilt as a nation because almost everything is subsidized. We hardly see the true price of things like food, transportation, energy, and education.

I think California is trying to make tough decisions. I would say that if they are so upset, they should offer alternatives or check with the private sector.

I live in California and I go to college, I understand that it is going to get more expensive, everyone has options to deal with that really even though it might be extremely tough, what I don't like is the cuts, not the increase but the cuts. I wouldn't protest about it but it is very irritating that the way to get ahead in life is to get a better education, to make a good future for themselves and isn't that what America is supposed to be about? Well because big time politicians make bad decisions and the rich still stay ahead, my future is put on hold until THEIR mistakes get sorted out. I don't find it any different than any other person that gets affected by budget cuts, it is important and students have every right to be angry and frustrated that they can't get a decent education in an already expensive state.

I think the students have a right to strike. The cuts are unbelievable. The tuition at the University of California raised over 33% and they are still cutting professors and programs. The city colleges at most places stopped their summer program and its harder for students to enroll in classes. I know it's the recession and everyone suffers but the students deserve their say.

I work for one of the public universities and I can tell you this. We have taken cut after cut after cut. There is no fat left on the bone to cut. The state wants the public universities to admit everyone, but they don't want to help pay for it. This is what has resulted in the extreme increases in tuition. Yes, I understand the whole state is in a fix right now and so do my colleagues as we were all furloughed two days a month this entire year. I've been left looking for a second job just to be sure I have food on the table each month. If the state doesn't fund the education system, then the costs will increase to match those of private universities. How many of you want to see that? Will that be good for your children? I am fed up with all the criticism of the public agencies and the constant articles that talk about the ridiculous amounts we all make. I don't make enough to survive on my own in California, that's what most of the employees in the public system earn. The only reason we put up with the ridiculous salaries we have is because of the retirement. This becomes another argument. Why do people think that someone who works 30 years for a company doesn't deserve a retirement pension? In 14 years with this university, I have never seen it this bad. If the Governor's budget does not pass the legislature, the entire state will see massive layoffs of public employees at almost all of the public universities. Layoff notices have already been sent out to many of us. The students aren't being spoiled, they are supporting the staff and professors of their universities because they see what is happening, they aren't walking around with blinders on oblivious to the repercussions of continuous cuts to the education system.