Students demonstrations over tuition raises becoming violent

In what has started to become a common problem for students, State representatives are continuing to slash budgets all over the nation.  What would normally be ignored by most is no longer being ignored by students, faculty, and their families on many college campuses.

This week alone, many of the protests has seen an active movement in violence and arrests.  In Oakland, police broke out riot gear and hauled 160 protesters to jail after events turned ugly.  The students were at the door steps of the State building when they were asked to leave.  These protesters did not go quietly. 

Other events, including California police holding back student protesters who shut down part of Interstate 80 while making their way to the city center of Sacramento.  In this case, rubber pullets and pepper spray were used to break up the protesters.

Why the big demonstrations over budget cuts?

The answer lies in what is getting cut.  In over 30 states, double digit college education funding cuts are being implemented, which will force universities to pass the burden back onto the students, faculty, and their families.  This is done by increasing tuition and student fees, freezing or lowering salaries for faculty, and limiting the number of classes being opened to those attending the university.

This is only adding fuel to the ongoing fire that has tuition rates hitting record highs, which has not been seen in the history of Higher Education before now. Adding to this problem is the announcements of University Presidents, Deans, and Board of Trustees who are seeing six and seven digit annual salaries, all while being almost invisible to students and faculty.

Please keep your eyes open to these problems.  The California demonstrations are only the beginning of a troubled time for State and local officials.  You can see more of these protests by watching the CNN clip, which is found below.

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