Signs Read Screw Us and We Multiply

Over a recent weekend, more than six thousand students and educators from higher education institutions marched in Sacramento to demand the protection of higher education. The protesters ideal protection of higher education includes rights to low tuition fees and a lower need for student loans, full-time faculty members for students to rely on, access to counselors and affordable classes, and a solution to the growing problem of unavailable coursework. San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC), a community college located in the heart of San Bernardino, took part in the protest and sent representatives to speak for students who attend SBVC. The Capitol was swarmed with signs of protest; each representing a strong issue that was important to all of the students that the participants marched for. San Bernardino Valley College wielded a sign of our own reading, “Screw us and we multiply!” with SBVC’s initials wrapped around another sign that read “March for Education.” Juan Prieto, student at SBVC, comments on his optimism for future student involvement, “It was great to see so many San Bernardino Valley College students seem so interested in participating in something that would better our state's higher education. Many of the students who attended I had seen in some of my classes, but I would never have imagined them being so passionate about the state of our higher educational system. It was truly inspiring, and I hope they all bring back those thoughts and energy into or campus as we come close to the Associated Student Government elections, where they can partake in organizing trips such as March in March.” Students all around California have felt the sting of higher tuition and textbook costs in our college careers and policy makers have even came up with solutions like AB955, a radical and extraordinarily controversial solution to the lack of available classes. Education has taken a 20% cut in funding over the last ten years while tuition costs have increased by over 500%, piling onto the financial load that students are responsible for. Many students work tirelessly to afford their education, while many prospective students are giving up on the institution of education entirely. The students, educators, and administrators who rallied in Sacramento will continue to push for the protection of education each year at the annual March in March rally.