CALIFORNIA FACULTY ASSOCIATION
California State University, Sacramento

Students Returning To Classes Today ‘Stunned” By Crowding, Difficulties Getting Into Classes

Students returned to classes today at six of the 23 campuses of the California State University to find the 2009/10 academic year offers fewer class days as faculty are furloughed, much greater difficulty getting classes, and more limited services even as their fees have risen by one-third. See below for schedule of campus class openings, events, and collecting of student complaint forms by the California Faculty Association.

At CSU Northridge in L.A. County’s San Fernando Valley, students desperately tried to “crash” classes to get the necessary units to move ahead in their majors or to preserve their eligibility for financial aid. Fifty students tried to add a calculus class that was already at a maximum enrollment of 40 students. The wait-listed students marched to the campus provost’s office in protest. Film professor Nate Thomas was part of a CFA “Vent at the Tent” contingent at CSUN that videotaped and collected written statements by students describing the consequences of state budget cuts to the CSU system that total more than a half billion dollars this year alone.

“Heart-wrenching stories were being told at the tent.” Thomas said. “For example, one said all his courses are fluff because he could not get any core classes. His major courses have been cancelled or filled.” CFA Northridge Chapter President David Ballard said, “The reality of the budget cuts is coming home. Students are finding they cannot get into the classes like they normally do. I think they are a little stunned.” :

• Cathy Hackett

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