California is facing a $25 billion deficit.

The California State University is facing continued professor furlough days, a loss of part-time faculty, an increase in student tuition and an imposed reduction of more than 40,000 students.

These are just a few of the challenges students may face this spring. During the course of the fall 2009 semester, Associated Students Inc. has worked diligently to not only understand the impact the state’s challenges may have on students, but how we can mitigate those effects.

As you already know, being a student is a full-time job – one that doesn’t end with finals or the holiday season. While most of us envision ourselves catching up on sleep, vacationing in some faraway place or just relaxing with friends and family, we must remember that our fight is far from over. We must keep up with the news, stay involved and remain active on campus and in our communities.

Most importantly, we must be prepared. There may come a time when we are asked to stand up and rally for our rights. A time to make our voices heard, to ensure that our needs are not only addressed, but met.

That time may be soon, as the governor is set to present his State of the State address and issue his budget proposal next month. California’s legislative committees will also meet to begin discussing bills such as Assembly Bill 656, which would raise $1 billion for higher education.

In our continued effort to advocate for students, ASI will hold rallies to help preserve higher education in January and February, before participating in a statewide march for education on March 22, 2010. ASI will end the semester in April with the 14th Annual California Higher Education Student Summit, CHESS.

For your sake and mine, I implore you to get involved. Stay up-to-date on what is happening in your state … at your school. Be prepared and willing to act at a moment’s notice.

As I have said before, ASI is only as strong as the students involved. On that same note, Sacramento State is only as good as the students it produces and the issues they deem important. So what does this mean? It means that we have a voice – that we carry weight.

Roberto C. Torres, president, Associated Students Inc.