LA Times: Cal State Fullerton ghost town is its own lesson

[marmar]

Cal State Fullerton ghost town is its own lesson
A three-day state-mandated class furlough at the campus graphically illustrates the effects of California's budget crisis on higher education.

By Mike Anton

October 22, 2009


The busload of future college students from Whittier High School who took a field trip Wednesday to Cal State Fullerton got less -- and more -- than they were expecting.

They didn't get a feel for student life on campus because there was hardly any.

But they did receive an unexpected lesson on the state's budget crisis, thanks to a three-day faculty furlough and the cancellation of most classes -- part of a broad plan of cuts and student fee increases to stem the university's $36.7-million shortfall.

"We lost five school days because of furloughs, so they're aware that their education is being cut back," said Chris Weitzel, a Whittier teacher who accompanied the students. "Today, they're learning that it's affecting all levels of public education."

You could have landed a small airplane on the tranquil, tree-lined walkways of the Fullerton campus. The notoriously packed Nutwood parking garage was nearly empty. And the usually bustling campus bookstore was as quiet as a monastery.

For students, the Tuesday-through-Thursday furlough left them with plenty of time to fill.

Outside the bookstore, members of Associated Students Inc., the student government, registered voters and operated a "vent tent" where passersby were invited to sit before a video camera and tell lawmakers how cuts in higher education funding are affecting them. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fullerton-furloughs22-2009oct22,0,6888361.story

[Quantess]

1. Ouch.