Resolution Supporting the March 15 Rally in Sacramento, #RS04-226

Whereas Despite passage of ballot propositions 57 and 58, the CSU continues to be

profoundly threatened by the California fiscal crisis; and

Whereas The budget reduction projected for SFSU has forced the campus to consider both short-term and long-range cuts that will have permanent effects on academic programs at SFSU; and

Whereas Faculty, staff, administrators and students will suffer from these cuts; and

Whereas Students in the California community colleges organized a highly successful march and rally in Sacramento in spring of 2003, attended by about 7000 students, as a result of which funding for the community colleges was increased by many millions of dollars; and

Whereas Students in the California community colleges plan a similar event for

March 15, 2004 -- the ides of March; and

Whereas Leadership of the Associated Students of SFSU is working on ways in which

SFSU students can participate in this event, and organizing means by which students from this campus can attend; and

Whereas Brian Murphy, of the SFSU Urban Institute, made a vigorous presentation at the Academic Senate meeting of February 24, 2004, recommending that faculty and campus administrators endorse this activity;

Whereas A highly visible presence of CSU students would remind state decision-makers that, like their community college peers, they have profound concerns about the effect on their education of the dwindling state support for higher education in this state; therefore be it

Resolved That the Academic Senate of SFSU ask all faculty to tell their students about this event and encourage students to participate in it; and further be it

Resolved That students be given any way possible to make up classwork they miss if

they attend this event, an example of civic engagement; and further be it

Resolved That the Academic Senate of SFSU remind faculty and administrators that

even if they cannot attend themselves they can provide financial support for this venture by contributing to the fund established by Associated Students SFSU; and further be it

Resolved That the Academic Senate of SFSU thank Dr. Murphy for prompting faculty

to act on this matter.

*** Approved Unanimously by the Academic Senate on March 9, 2004 ***