Crazy and composed, college students across the Bay react to budget cuts

Facing unprecedented budget cuts in higher education, protests — both planned and impromptu — are lighting up colleges throughout the Bay Area.

 

San Francisco State University and U.C. Berkeley have contributed more than their share of protests. While their methods differ, students at both universities are pushing for better funding.

 

On Thursday, Berkeley students shook it up a bit in the form of an open-air dance party in Sproul Plaza, followed by the occupation of Durant Hall, and then culminating in what the San Francisco Chronicle characterized as a riot on Telegraph Avenue. Only the dance party was planned (or at least announced).

 

In contrast, students in San Francisco have been rather subdued. They are planning to host student general assemblies weekly, courtesy of Students Faculty Staff United. These assemblies have been building up to the March 4 statewide “Day of Action,” organizers said.

 

At stake is who can attend college, as the budget plan for the coming academic year will decrease admissions even more. The California State University system plans to reduce enrollment by 40,000 students over the next two years. The University of California system would cut 2,300 over one year. In addition, current students at California State Universities face a 20 percent tuition increase, while U.C. students faces a 32 percent hike.

 

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Other big stories this week:

 

Education

Rally against the cuts to education
indybay.org – 2/23/10

South San Francisco Unified teachers brace for layoffs
insidebayarea.com – 2/24/10

Transportation 

Toll increase creates casual carpool conundrum
SFgate.com – 2/22/10

Muni operators likely to vote again on cost-saving proposal this week
sf.streetsblog.org – 2/22/10

Muni considering service cuts, fee hikes
SFgate.com – 2/24/10

BART begins budget process $14 million in red
SFgate.com – 2/26/10

Streetscape

Land swap seen as win-win deal
sfexaminer.com – 2/22/10

San Francisco P.R. firm spins Dolores Park closure
nbcbayarea.com – 2/25/10

SF wants pillow fight organizers to pay for messy clean up 
ktvu.com – 2/26/10

Cameras expose Haight crime
sfexaminer.com – 2/2/10

 

Housing

Home prices still falling, but getting better
SFgate.com – 2/24/10

Business

Forced sales delayed at personality hotels
bizjournals.com – 2/23/10

Yelp hit with class-action suit
bizjournals.com – 2/25/10

Rights & advocacy 

New health care reform won’t end tax on gay couples
cbs5.com – 2/24/10

Prop 8. suit closing arguments may be televised
SFgate.com – 2/25/10

Police force

Gascon pushes again for tasers
abclocal.go.com – 2/24/10

Environment

N. Calif cities to pay for sewage plant violations
SFgate.com – 2/24/10

EPA dings South San Francisco salami factory for ammonia leaks
insidebayarea.com – 2/25/10

Community

S.F. on pace with 10-year plan on homeless 
SFgate.com – 2/24/10