Interview with U.C. Berkeley student activist

Recently, U.C. Berkeley students walked out of classes in a coordinated statewide action that coincided with the first day of school at many U.C. campuses. The walkout was historic in that workers, faculty, and students are united and organizing for radical actions against an increasingly antagonistic administration, on top of continued State budget cuts.

Students are facing a 32% fee increase on top of continued increases which have been imposed in recent years, along with significant cuts in classes and student services. The SF Chronicle noted that if this increase goes through, the system will technically move from public to private, in that more funding comes from tuition and fees than from government funding. The administration announced that it will reverse long-held state college policy and start to recruit more out-of-state students who pay higher fees, further restricting access for California students.

Student demands include:

* rescind the 9.3% fee increase and prevent further hikes including the proposed 32% increase
* roll back fees to 1991 levels
* no curtailed student enrollment for in-state and all other students
* increase financial aid
* protect undocumented students, make the campus and community a sanctuary against
police raids and intimidation
* re-establish eliminated classes and services, restore funding for faculty and staff
* prioritize diverse curricula, protect all departments and centers