Growing frustration over California State University (CSU) management’s policies has sparked a united movement. Members of the California Faculty Association (CFA) and Students for Quality Education are coming together to hold a “People’s Board of Trustees Rally” at the Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach on November 20. Their goal? To demand accountability, shared governance, and prioritization of student success in the CSU system.
The rally will begin with a press conference at 9:30 AM, followed by a protest from 10 AM to noon outside the Chancellor’s Office. The event promises vibrant political theater and passionate speeches from faculty and students, including Spanish-speaking advocates. Interviews will be available before, during, and after the rally. The rally comes in response to policies implemented by CSU Chancellor Mildred García, which critics claim suppress free speech and stifle academic freedom. A controversial interim “Time, Place, and Manner” policy imposes restrictions on face coverings, and requires pre-approval for posters and signs. At a recent CSU Board of Trustees meeting, public commenters faced inhumane measures, including being denied access to restrooms and water fountains, with attendees directed to portable toilets across the street.
The Board of Trustees recently approved a 34% tuition hike over the next five years, despite widespread student housing and food insecurity, disproportionately impacting Native, Black, Brown, disabled, and trans students. Meanwhile, CSU management continues to expand executive salaries and fund large-scale infrastructure projects, which critics argue divert resources from student needs.
“At Cal Poly Pomona, $4.1 million was spent on rebranding, including a new logo, while students face rising tuition and limited resources,” said Bonnie Thorne, CFA Pomona President. “Some students can’t even get the classes they need to graduate.”
CFA Treasurer Vang Vang, a Fresno State librarian, criticized the administration for perpetuating austerity while prioritizing capital projects over student success. “Executive salaries keep growing, but resources for students, faculty, and staff remain stagnant.” Faculty at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and CSU Maritime have raised concerns about a lack of transparency and collaboration in a proposed campus integration plan. Administrators have reportedly sidelined faculty input, highlighting a failure to uphold shared governance.
“Enough is enough,” said Diane Blair, CFA secretary and Fresno State professor. “CSU is the people’s university, and we’ll fight to keep it that way. Taxpayer dollars are being squandered, and students’ futures are at risk.”
CFA and student groups argue that CSU management’s focus on financializing education undermines the liberal arts and the broader purpose of higher education. By framing degrees as mere pathways to “good-paying jobs,” critics say the administration disregards the transformative value of education. This rally aims to hold CSU leadership accountable and ensure that faculty, staff, and students are at the forefront of decision-making. Participants hope their collective action will remind the CSU Board of Trustees that they must prioritize the diverse communities they serve.
CFA represents over 29,000 faculty, lecturers, librarians, counselors, and coaches across the 23 CSU campuses, from Cal Poly Humboldt to San Diego State.
