Lamenting lost education

Christine Carrillo

Shouting eulogies for their educational opportunities through a

megaphone, students at Orange Coast College held a barrage of

memorial services amid a mock graveyard on Monday.

Transforming a portion of the campus’s quad into a cemetery for

community college education, members of the student government tried

to grab the attention of students as they walked to and from class.

With signs posted that preached the students’ plight, organizers

encouraged their classmates to fight back against the state’s budget

cuts that may force OCC to cut about 1,000 course sections for the

2003-04 school year.

“It’s hard to get people’s attention, so we decided on this,” said

Madeline Levy, student body vice president. “Why shouldn’t students

take control of their own student rights? Even beyond students, I

think it’s important for the community to support community

colleges.”

Using headstones reading “R.I.P. Education” and students in black

cap and gown lying in a coffin, more than 1,500 students took time

out of their day to sign cards to various members of California’s

Legislature.

“I think it’s very cool what they’re doing, and it’s definitely

true with all the budget cuts,” said Jake Brown, a second-year

student at OCC. “It’s going to discourage people from pursuing an

education.”

Gov. Gray Davis will release the long-awaited revision to the

budget this month. Students, however, still feel they need to do all

they can.

“I think we’re going to make a difference,” said Ravin Kohli, a

second-year student and member of the college’s Associated Students

government. “It’s important because so many kids aren’t going to be

able to afford [an education].”

That dedication has pushed OCC students to educate their community

about the consequences of the state budget cuts and how to do

something about them, a school official said.

“The students have been working very hard all year long on

lessening the budget cuts at the state level,” said Kate Mueller,

dean of students. “This is just one of many efforts they have put

forth to get students’ attention ... and [this event] is certainly

getting people’s attention.”

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO covers education and may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.