It is that time of year again. Spring. Which means, of course, spring-cleaning! We’re not the only ones who have to suffer through the seasonal annoyances. In fact, most students get off easy.

Even our state legislators are stuck cleaning out the capitol. Picture it: Arnold sitting atop his high horse wondering what to do with the financial mess he stepped in, while we get off scot-free. Wait a second; budget cuts mean higher education is under attack!

While many Californians are stuck cleaning their house, our elected “Capitol Cop” has again taken the lead role in straight-up cleaning house.

Now is when Arnie’s supporters counter: “Stop whining, girly man. California’s Community College budget hasn’t been touched this year. The tuition has increased by only two percent.”

Expected fee increases of two percent, four percent, and eight percent to the 2-year colleges, Cal States, and the UC campuses respectively, are matched by decreases in school services.

Schwarzenegger’s short term budget-balancing version of 3-card Monty is reminiscent of musical chairs: first cut founding to the 2-year colleges, follow with the Cal States, next the UC campuses. Any guesses on whose chair will be missing in 2006? Teachers Union?

If the Governor wants to rebuild a stable, sustainable economy, he needs to look at the long-term benefits of education before gutting the system. Studies show that a $1 investment yields a return of $4.41 in the Cal States, and $9 in the UC system. Our state’s financial crisis requires fiscal restraint.

Despite our Governor’s illogical path to fiscal salvation, many 2-year college chancellors and student governments are sending letters of appreciation to our governor. It appears as though not facing a massive cut is a reason to be grateful. Last time I checked higher education didn’t stop at an Associates Degree. Most City College students hope to someday transfer.

Knowing that 75 percent of Cal State and UC students start in California’s 2-year colleges, look again at the 15,000 qualified students who were prevented from enrolling because of the Cal State’s financial inability to accommodate new students. That means 11,250 students coming out of California’s 2-year colleges just like Santa Barbara City College, had satisfied all transfer requirements yet were still denied.

This year’s budget cuts may not affect our campus, but many of us are beginning to hear back from the dream schools that we have been working towards for the last two plus years. Imagine that you have been accepted to a UC. Imagine that the Governor’s funding cuts force that UC to retract the acceptance of 15,000 previously accepted students. Imagine that 11,250 of them are community college transfers. Imagine the letter you or your friend receives in the mail:

“Congratulations on your outstanding academic qualifications which meet all UC requirements. We were pleased to have admitted you for the upcoming Fall 2005 quarter. Unfortunately, we can no longer accept your enrollment due to a temporary budget-induced enrolment cap. We hope you understand our decision and encourage you to reapply next year.” Great! We are encouraged to apply again next year. Thank you, Arnold.

I recommend we hold off on our campus’s thank you to the Governor. Lets thank him after the 175,000 students forced to drop out of the 2-year colleges have successfully transferred to a four-year school. After the 15,000 denied admittance to the Cal States have received their degrees. And, after the fee increases we have suffered are totally recalled to what they were before the states financial burdens were heaved atop our backpacks.

Currently, Gov. Schwarzenegger refers to education-seeking students as a special interest, alongside certain money-hungry power corporations that led the way down the state’s dark path to financial crisis..

It may indeed be time for spring-cleaning, but it is not the time to clean out funding to higher education. California’s students are not partisan politics. We demand an accessible, affordable, high-quality education.

Education is our right, and this year it is a right that we must fight. Do your part by holding government responsible. This spring is no time for students to rest. It is exactly the opposite; this is the time for student unrest.