The Price of Higher Education
⤏ WHAT THE CSU STRIKE SAYS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF CAL STATE STUDENTS AND FACULTY
⤏ WRITTEN BY ALMA BARRERA
⤏ EDITED BY GISSELLE PERNETT
It comes as no surprise that overworked employees would be upset at the ongoing lack of compensation and decide to withhold their labor —well, except to the companies who continue to define the trend of exploiting their staff.
About 29,000 California State University faculty, librarians, counselors and coaches called for a systemwide strike initially cancelling classes for the first week of the semester. These efforts were the result of the CSU system disregarding the California Faculty Association’s request for a 12% salary increase, increased paid parental leave, job security, improved access to safe gender-inclusive restrooms, and accessible lactation spaces, amongst other demands.
With the CSU administration having more than enough money, the demands were met with neglect minutes into the first round of negotiations that ultimately would have prevented the 23 Cal State campus wide strike. In fact, the CSU system pushed back and threatened a systemwide layoff. As our late-stage capitalist society has taught us, that’s how the wealthy stay wealthy by withholding fair salaries and threatening the livelihood of anyone who doesn’t comply.
In matters of higher education, why are educators and students (*ahem impending tuition increases* *ahem student loan debt*) always expected to settle for less and call it a win?
As a California State University, Northridge alumni, and current graduate student pursuing a career in higher education, it’s an inexplainable feeling to be in the same timeline as these events, even more extraordinary to be right in the middle of it.
”In matters of higher education, why are educators and students (*ahem tuition increases* *ahem student loan debt*) always expected to settle for less and call it a win?”
If threatening to layoff faculty didn’t say enough about the CSU’s stance in the situation, then it was made abundantly clear after an email was sent out to all CSUN students days before the strike. In an email sent by Dr. Meera Komarraja —the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs— and Dr. William Watkins —Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students— students were told that any salary increase would result in program cuts and layoffs.
They continued to put students in an awkward situation letting them know if they were concerned with any services or classes that would be cancelled due to the strike they were welcome to share (snitch.) Did the CSU really think we were going to forget the times professors and faculty have stood by us when we protested tuition increases or when the CSU attempted to eliminate the requirement of cultural studies classes? Not only was the email intended to blame faculty and staff for the “program cuts”, but it attempted to pit students against the same faculty that was actively advocating for increased counselors and resources that would benefit student’s mental health.
Unfortunately, the week-long strike didn’t go as planned. After day one, professors received an email notifying them that both parties came to an agreement and classes would resume the next day.
Although I stand with my educators and peers, and their decision to strike, it’s disappointing to see the CFA leaders come to a tentative agreement so quickly —especially one that met less than half of the CFA’s proposed demands. As a future student affairs professional, I can empathize with the dilemma of striking or supporting students' education but the CFA union could have made a stronger statement by sticking to the original week long strike, instead of settling.
Though the tentative agreement might seem like a win, I have become more concerned about my own future. Anyone in higher education will agree, we thrive on student success but when educators, and faculty are met with lack of appreciation, support and understanding, I find it harder to believe that the CSU even values the employees that keep these institutions running.