We’re not gonna take it!

As the rest of the world is bracing for attacks from terrorists and a possible war with Iraq, the students of Yuba College are locked in a war with Governor Gray Davis and the Yuba College Board of Trustees. We are facing cuts in classes, reductions in student services and layoffs for faculty. It’s on all our minds. How did wee get to this state of crisis? In a word: mismanagement. It would be one thing if Governor Davis was threatening budget cuts and the Board of Trustees were backing the students. But instead they are pointing the finger at Davis to distract us while they make cuts before Davis has even made anything official. They’re not helping us by making higher than average cuts now.

But the students can do something. You can do something. At the rally held to speak out against Davis’ cuts the Engineering program students made their voices heard. The engineering program was originally on the college’s chopping block but by showing the Board of Trustees that they weren’t going down without a fight, in 24 hours the program was saved. Students made a stand, and this college’s administration backed down.

I think it’s time more people took a stand, not just against Governor Davis but also against the Board of Trustees. The faculty had tried for a week to save the engineering program but to no avail. When the students themselves joined the fight, the tides were turned. Students have a power greater than they know. We should use it. We have a right to an education, and it should not be sacrificed to an inept governor or a trigger happy Board of Trustees. There are plenty of things you can do to ensure your future at Yuba College. You can email the entire Board of Trustees at allboard@yccd.edu. Also, below are the phone numbers and addresses of the Board of Trustees. Call them, write them, let them know that you will not go out with out a fight. Tell them that in the immortal words of Twisted Sister “We’re not gonna take it!”