CSU Students Rally, March To Protest Proposed Tuition Increases

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Students at CSU campuses across California protested Monday to demand a halt to tuition increases.

The day of action was dubbed "Reclaim the CSU," included rallies and marches at Chico State, San Francisco State, CSU Stanislaus, Cal Poly SLO, CSU Los Angeles and Fresno State.

After a 4-year freeze on tuition is set to end, the CSU Board of Trustees has recommended annual increases, based on inflation, according to organizers.

The students are opposed to the proposed tuition hikes and are demanding a fully-funded CSU.

At San Francisco State University, students rallied in Malcolm X Plaza. They fear deep budget cuts will not only mean higher tuition at this campus, but the elimination of the College of Ethnic Studies.

"I'm angry and I want other people to be angry with me because we're paying for this institution," says Sophomore Shiba Bandeeba. "We're paying for the resources that we deserve and I think it's time to get them so we can graduate and make our economy great."

SFSU President Les Wong has reiterated no plan exists to reduce the yearly budget for any of the six colleges at that campus, including Ethnic Studies.

There has been a lot of anxiety fueled by budget concerns this year at CSU campuses. A five-day faculty strike at all 23 campuses was averted last month after a tentative deal was struck. That agreement calls for a 10.5% salary increase over 3 years and will require state funding to implement.