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Things got a bit nutty this morning when students reportedly "stormed" and "took over" a building at UCLA in protest of the imminent UC Board of Regents' vote to increase tuition up to 32%. About 30 students raided Campbell Hall barricading the doors with chains and bike locks, said the LA Times.
It all has to do with the failing state budget. However, many students fear the lack of affordability in continuing their education with the proposed new fees, which may be instituted as early as next fall if approved. Tuition would go above $10,000.
Yesterday, a handful of students were arrested when protesting (see above photos) a finance committee meeting.
Update: The tuition increase was approved by UC Regents.
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Is that guard on the right a T-1000?
wow, who would have known there were so many bike-cops in westwood.
These students have to realize the money has to come from somewhere. I would be more impressed if they were demonstrating for tax hikes rather than protesting cuts.
Gosh, if only there was something like, I don't know, a system by which the state could compel wealthy people to pay more in taxes than poor people. But no, of course that can't happen. California's commitment to a middle class and affordable education? Ephemeral. Prop 13? Biblical writ.
But seriously, make wealthy parasites pay their fucking fair share, like we used to. That said, I wouldn't mind paying taxes if I got something out of it, you know, besides illegal wars and the governator's hummer limo.
Being a UCLA student, I think they're more concerned with the fact that the Board (and others) are making grotesque salaries (Yudof, the President, is making $540,000) during rough financial times. Sure, them taking a serious pay cut would not even begin to close the $500 million gap, but it would at least show that they're trying and they're willing to sacrifice like the rest of us (if you can all only making $200,000 or so a sacrifice).
A lot of people also feel that there are better ways to close the gap, like pay freezes, furloughs, staff cuts, and maybe a small fee increase - a combination of smaller measures.
Either way I won't be out there with the crazies today, but some of them do have a point.
Thats true. Deans of some schools are even making millions, not sure if this is true for the UC system. The administration who are making high salaries from this system should realize that they need to step up and help support the people and students who rely on this system for jobs and education and cut salaries if needed. We are in a time where there are less grants and scholarships. Students are already at a point where they have to struggle to get an higher education. So many deserve going to a UC but just cant afford it.
Even with a beating stick, a cop in a bike helmet just doesn't seem so threatening. (The shorts don't help either)
I'm sure the rifles and assault weapons aimed at the crowd are necessary...
They're not assault rifles - most of the weapons you see are bean-bag shotguns and rubber bullet rifles. Not fun, but also not lethal.
Several students have reported being tasered (apparently with marks to prove it) but none of the major news sources have confirmed it yet. The UCPD probably won't release exact details on what weapons were actually used until everyone forgets about all this (a few weeks). That's standard operating procedure for them.
"Not fun, but also not lethal."
Less than lethal Juaquin.
Which means they only kill sometimes. The officer should be pointing that rifle at the ground, getting hit with one of those full force before having the rubber projectiles bounce off the ground have been known to kill, put out eyes, etc. Even bouncing off the ground they leave a nasty bruise and hurt like hell.
Yes, less than lethal. If they were to use them they better have a damn good reason (just like a Taser). I didn't say it was ok for them to just go off shooting them whenever they please. Brandishing a less-than-lethal is their idea of crowd control (merits of this are debatable), but I don't see what the big deal is if they're not using them.
I certainly understand how upset the students are about impending fee increases. Certainly other members of the UC community are also feeling the pinch due to budget cuts and layoffs, and can sympathize.
However, I think the students might try to focus on who is actually making decisions. The Regents are one group--but why vandalize random vehicles on campus? What does that accomplish?
Looks like mommy and daddy are going to have to pony up a little extra cash for Chad and Ashley.
...or take out student loans that they'll be paying back until retirement.
The frustration is understandable, but there is definitely a disconnect with reality in some of the quotes I've read in news coverage of these recent protests. Some of those involved in the sit-ins in one building were not only protesting the fee increases but also insisting that UCLA re-hire some of the maintenance staff who were let go or whose hours have been cut. The state is in a dire financial crisis, which may get worse before it gets better, but there's rarely any acknowledgment of that from those protesting.