Students Rally to Prioritize Languages at UCSC

On March 8, more than 100 students held a rally outside the UC Santa Cruz Academic Senate's quarterly meeting to demand the prioritization of the language program at the university. They expressed frusteration over lucrative salaries and perks for top-administrators, and excessive amounts of money going towards war in Iraq, while students and workers are told there is a 'budget crisis' that requires cuts to needed programs.

Wednesday's 'Save Our Languages' rally marks a second consecutive year of student protests to secure funding for UCSC's language program. While students noted that the current level of funding has been secured for next year, they continue to struggle to ensure that languages are prioritized permanently and that students are not turned away from classes. They insist the UC is in the midst of a 'priorities crisis,' rather than a 'budget crisis.'