Juan Villa / The Collegian

In light of the proposed budget cuts to the California State University (CSU) system, students are doing all they can to prevent their education from being affected.

In addition to the protest in Sacramento on Monday, where more than 2,000 California students rallied at the capitol, students are also being encouraged to write or fax the governor with their opinions. That was the message being delivered to students on Friday during a protest in the free speech area.

One student activist, Walter Ramirez, spoke to the crowd by urging more students to get involved with the issue.

“With the fee increases come smaller classrooms and you guys won’t be able to get into the classes you need. How is that fair?â€Â Ramirez said to those present.

Some of the students at Friday̢۪s protest were discouraged at the lack of interest they saw from passing students.

“Six hundred eligible freshmen will be denied this upcoming year, which isn’t fair, and students don’t seem to care that the quality of their education is decreasing,â€Â said Sarait Martinez, an ASI senator elect for next semester.

The pending statewide budget cuts could mean $386 million lost to the CSU system, resulting in a 10 percent tuition increase and 10,000 new students being denied admission in the fall.

In response to these looming possibilities, The Alliance for the CSU responded last week by setting up outdoor phone and fax banks that students on each CSU campus could use to call or fax the governor with their message.

“The CSU is the solution, not the problem,â€Â said California Faculty Association President Lillian Taiz, a leader in the alliance. “We hope that by communicating with the governor, he will reconsider his proposal.â€Â

Reporting by Ben Keller, Valerie Nevens and Paige Ricks.