Opinionator #2

For this assignment, I decided to write about the planned strike by California State University staff. These professors and staff of the California Faculty Assosiation are picketing because they weren't paid their guaranteed raises. The CSU Administration claims they are unable to pay their faculty because of budget cuts and say that is money they just don't have.

I think the CSU faculty has a right to be upset and strike because they are the educators of the people of the future. As college students, we depend on them to give us the best education possible. They should be rewarded for their hard work and dedication. While the education budget has been cut, tuition is on the rise and the money going towards the CSU system and the schools should be put to good use. The size of classes are rising and the professors are being asked to teach more students in a bigger class and aren't being compensated.  In an article from MercuryNews.com professor Wei Ming Dariotis stated,""We're basically being asked to do more work for less pay," in regards to the increased workload of the professors with larger classes.

I think that the CSU faculty should be given their raises because they are well deserved. I think the importance of educators is often overlooked in this country and they aren't as appreciated as they should be. As a college student, I appreciate the efforts of not only my college professors here at SJSU, but also my teachers from elementary school through High School. Those teachers were just as important and had just as much impact on my education. They were the ones who encouraged me and my fellow classmates to pursue a higher education. Overall, I think the strike is warranted and I'm hoping it is effective in the sense that the CSU Administration grants them their raise.