Editorial: Student body cannot afford return to apathy

March 12, 2009 by Editorial staff 

CSUN debate over viability of second rally worrisome

Have we already given up?

CSUN debated for nearly an hour at their Senate meeting Monday on whether to fund a second budget cut rally on March 26. Though some voices remained firm in their resolution to continue on the path that has proven successful thus far, many abandoned the sprit of unity that the student body has worked so hard to build over recent months, to pick apart the policy.

We understand their concern: $5,000 is a lot to spend on anything, especially something that claims to speak on the effects of a budget shortfall. But the return on our last investment was worth the money spent. The cost of the rally seems nominal when compared with the tens of millions of dollars we stand to lose in funding.

It is student government’s duty to realize the benefits of that trade-off and make decisions to help save the education. Why did it take so long to do so? It seems like we may be retuning to our infamous detachedness and lethargy. Let’s hope this is not the case.

We cannot give up on justice and we must not give in to the pillaging of our education system.

In the days following the budget cut rally on Jan. 22, when students were making front-page news across Nevada, there might have been a chance for a student demonstration that didn’t require sound equipment and a stage.

Back then our voices would have been loud enough.

Now, it seems as though even some of the most dedicated Rebels struggle to find reasons to rally. 

Judging by the resistance to the funding of another rally, it is apparent that some of our student leaders have lost the fire that made the last one so incredibly successful.

This is unacceptable. 

We cannot risk our educations — our lives, and the lives of others because we just don’t care enough.

We have already begun to lose the fight we began many months ago. Our legislators cannot and will not stand up to the governor without a reason. If we don’t make them fight for us, we don’t deserve their votes and they won’t give them.

No matter how busy or tired we are, we cannot stop repeating our plea. We must refuse to yeild our futures to the blind will of a governor who does not undersetand us.

We must refuse to lose.