As the 2010-11 school year draws to a close, we reflect at the Daily Sundial on the issues we reported on and the themes that emerged.  We hope our coverage is a reflection of what is most relevant to the CSUN community.  By far, the topic that stands out to the editors of this newspaper is the rising cost of education and subsequent surge of student activism to thwart further increases.

Yet, it has become clear to us that the well-intended energies of the student activists is often misdirected and it is the opinion of the Daily Sundial editors that the focus of blame needs to shift from university administrators to our elected local and state leadership.  It is time to call upon our lawmakers to do whatever is necessary to give our administration the resources required for an affordable education.

The student’s voices have echoed loud on our pages and we see that as our contribution to the cause and a fulfillment of our duty as journalists. We applaud the exemplary efforts of the students who have spearheaded the cause; they have worked hard to represent the financial interests and burdens of CSUN students. However, the cuts to education do not come from CSUN President Jolene Koester or Chancellor Charles Reed. We implore students to direct their calls to action instead to the state legislature, to those with authority to acquire and distribute funding.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal that includes a $500-millon cut to the CSU system is actually a best-case scenario, hinging on a ballot measure to get voter approval extending tax increases set to expire in June.  However, partisan lines run deep and Republican lawmakers stand in the way of putting the measure on the ballot at all.

In a budget update from CSUN chief financial officer Tom McCarron last month, he said without the tax extensions – taxes Californians already pay – the CSU system is facing a $1 billion dollar cut instead.  You thought it was bad now, but it is completely possible things will get worse.
In an opinion piece published in the LA Times by UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, he pointed out the tragic irony of this impasse – 42 Republicans in the legislature, 29 of them were students in the state system of higher education and yet they will watch it crumble on the premise of being unwilling to see any cuts to education and unwilling to raise taxes.  However, this is not an option with a state budget deficit of more than $15 billion through June 2012, something has to give.
Last week, Assembly minority leader and Fresno State alumna Connie Conway, proposed a budget, which includes the $500-million dollar cut to the CSU system and would prevent the doubling of that figure on the wing-and-a-prayer that state tax receipts continue to come in higher than anticipated – $5 billion higher than anticipated.

Or we could deal with reality and just see if voters are willing to keep paying the taxes they are already paying.
Either way, increases to tuition and fees have little to do with Koester, Reed, or any university administration and we suggest students direct their energies at their local lawmakers.  Move the sit-ins, rallies and other demonstrations to their doors.  Write letters or send appeals via video message to state senate and assembly members reminding them of their obligation to preserve the public education system they once enjoyed.