More budget cut pictures

Here's an awesome picture from the rally, from the Evergreen home page. Also, here's the story that the Daily Evergreen wrote on it:

Students protest budget cuts

Community members unhappy with the recent budget cuts made their voices heard Thursday.

Andy Jones

The Daily Evergreen

Published: 04/03/2009

Hundreds of students and faculty marched across Glenn Terrell Mall on Thursday afternoon, holding signs with such demands as “Show humanity toward the humanities,” and “WSU math = more tuition, less education.” Led by GLBTA President Nikki Hahn, the crowd repeatedly chanted, “Public education, public disclosure,” as it marched toward Stadium Way, across the pedestrian bridge and into the French Administration Building.

President Elson S. Floyd – who was present at the rally that had begun more than an hour before on the mall – walked down the stairs to address the crowd.

Floyd, standing with Provost Warwick Bayly by his side, was immediately confronted with questions regarding transparency in his administration’s handling of the university’s budget cuts. A prevailing question was when the university would publicize which jobs or majors were going to be eliminated for the 2009-10 school year.

Floyd said it would be irresponsible to publicize this information before the state finalizes its budget.

“Let me be clear I am not going to indicate that anybody will lose their job when they will not,” he said. “That is cruel.” Students and faculty called for a greater voice in how the administration reduces the budget.

“I will not stand idle while Rome burns,” said Vincent Pritchard, a senior theater arts and drama major.

Floyd said the budget will be available for public comment on May 1, after the legislative session concludes. The university’s final budget is due July 1.

The state Senate’s proposed budget, released Monday, contains a 20 percent cut in higher education spending. The state House of Representative’s proposed budget, released Tuesday, contains a 29 percent cut in higher education spending.

Before this week, the university had been preparing for cuts in the range of 12 to 18 percent.

High administrative salaries was a theme both on Glenn Terrell Mall and in the French Administration Building.

“I’m an undergraduate and like you, I’m pretty angry,” ASWSU Dist. 2 Sen. Lauren Edholm said on the mall. “I’m angry that President Floyd is sitting in his office making more than the president of the United States.” Noel Sturgeon, a professor in the Department of Women’s Studies, compared WSU to AIG, criticizing the administration for not taking pay cuts while the future of the populations with more fragile economic statuses – regular professors and students – was being threatened.

Floyd said if the administration decided to take a pay cut, he would take a proportional cut, as well. Floyd received a $600,000 salary when he came to WSU. After receiving a raise to $725,000 at the beginning of the school year, he cut $100,000 from his salary and donated another $25,000 to the university during the fall, he said.

The Athletics Department was another source of frustration for protesters. Though the department was charged with being exempt from cuts, most of its funding does not come from the state and Floyd said all departments could potentially receive reductions.

Concerns about possible tuition increases, special enrollment fees, larger classrooms and cuts to essential classes and programs were also raised.

Margo Tamez, a teaching assistant in American studies, voiced support for programs that raise cultural understanding, such as American studies and disability studies.

Jeffrey Sellen, a general education instructor, hammered at the state Legislature for its regressive tax system and lack of focus on education. He said state funds must focus on the lower and middle classes for the state to prosper.

“We are in the midst of an education crisis, not just a budget crisis,” he said.