College students from across California worked on a plan Sunday to sign letters to administration after their three-day occupation of the administration building in Sacramento Hall at Sacramento State.

Students came together after the April 13 "Day of Class Action Walkout," when an estimated 1,000 or more students, faculty and staff walked out of their classes and joined a rally and march to Sacramento Hall to protest demanding quality higher education.

Students dove into their organizing efforts on Saturday by discussing ideas and breaking out into organizing committees to coordinate more actions for the upcoming week. Police forced them out of Sacramento Hall early Saturday morning after they occupied the building for three consecutive days.

In a meeting room at Eureka Hall &- painted with murals of historical figures such as Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Frida Kahlo and Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi &- student organizers shared ideas about what demonstration would be the most effective.

Student organizer Amanda Mooers, senior sociology major, led the beginning of the meeting with students.

"We are going to ask people to sign letters to President (Alexander) Gonzalez that they support the students organizing and in response to the administration's actions, which were unnecessarily aggressive," Mooers said. "We have real power and the influence to yield after this."

In a recent press release, California Faculty Association President Kevin Wehr said he thought "the administration had many opportunities to resolve this situation without the use of the police."

Jose Nava, freshman political science and pre-law major, came from Fresno State to the organizing meeting that day and found Sac State to be a motivation.

"I see it as a inspiration to students taking action against cuts I pay out of my pocket. We're not going to take this anymore." Nava said. "Sac State showed that we're not scared, we're going to take action. All the CSUs came together and echoed the voices of Sac State throughout the whole state."

The protesters' latest event was a candlelight vigil for higher education on Tuesday in the Library Quad.

The idea was that students were mourning the death of funding for higher education for the California State University system. It was also the rebirth of the student movement that was standing up against rising costs and fees to attend college, Mooers said.

Fresno State and Humboldt State had students attend the organizing meeting.

Fresno State alumnus Hector Cerda organized a mock trial on their campus for the "Day of Class Action."

At the mock trial, students were the jury and weighed in on the fugitives on trial &- which were apathy, politicians and administrative waste.

"It was fun, but a serious way of showing the community who is responsible," Cerda said.

Students at Fresno State also marched to their administration building and occupied the building for two hours. The following day they met with their president after he returned from his meeting with the chancellor. Cerda said their campus did similar occupations last year.

"I believe the day of action showed CSU campuses they can be and can stand in solidarity. It's something we need to continue to do more often," Cerda said. "I'm almost positive it has been historical statewide and we want the CSU to have its own allocated funding."

Cerda said students are continuing to move forward with their passion &- some even missing class and skipping homework to put their energy into actions against the CSU administration.

A campus community forum is in the works to educate people about the occupation of Sacramento Hall and how students can contribute to the student movement on campus.

Mildred Garcia Gomez, junior social work major, was sleeping the night students were confronted with police in riot gear.

"Something will happen. Next we're going to keep fighting and pushing the limits so they hear our voice that we are here," Gomez said.

Wehr said he thought "the administration had many opportunities to resolve this situation without the use of the police."

Jose Nava, freshman political science and pre-law major, came from Fresno State to the organizing meeting that day and found Sac State to be a motivation.

"I see it as a inspiration to students taking action against cuts I pay out of my pocket. We're not going to take this anymore." Nava said. "Sac State showed that we're not scared, we're going to take action. All the CSUs came together and echoed the voices of Sac State throughout the whole state."

The protesters' latest event was a candlelight vigil for higher education on Tuesday in the Library Quad.

The idea was that students were mourning the death of funding for higher education for the California State University system. It was also the rebirth of the student movement that was standing up against rising costs and fees to attend college, Mooers said.

Fresno State and Humboldt State had students attend the organizing meeting.

Fresno State alumnus Hector Cerda organized a mock trial on their campus for the "Day of Class Action."

At the mock trial, students were the jury and weighed in on the fugitives on trial &- which were apathy, politicians and administrative waste.

"It was fun, but a serious way of showing the community who is responsible," Cerda said.

Students at Fresno State also marched to their administration building and occupied the building for two hours. The following day they met with their president after he returned from his meeting with the chancellor. Cerda said their campus did similar occupations last year.

"I believe the day of action showed CSU campuses they can be and can stand in solidarity. It's something we need to continue to do more often," Cerda said. "I'm almost positive it has been historical statewide and we want the CSU to have its own allocated funding."

Cerda said students are continuing to move forward with their passion &- some even missing class and skipping homework to put their energy into actions against the CSU administration.

A campus community forum is in the works to educate people about the occupation of Sacramento Hall and how students can contribute to the student movement on campus.

Mildred Garcia Gomez, junior social work major, was sleeping the night students were confronted with police in riot gear.

"Something will happen. Next we're going to keep fighting and pushing the limits so they hear our voice that we are here," Gomez said.

Mallory Fites can be reached at [email protected]

Students occupying Sacramento Hall were asked to leave the building or face arrest by Sacramento State police and San Francisco State police in riot gear during a sleep-in early Saturday morning.

Students were protesting the priorities of the California State University administration, budget cuts and fee hikes.

They were asked to leave at approximately 3:24 a.m.

There was a total of 40 students from Sac State, San Jose State, Humboldt State, University of San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis and UC Berkeley. There were 20 students who participated in the sleep-in on Friday night.

Mildred Garcia Gomez, junior social work major, said she went to Wednesday's rally "Day of Action Walkout" for a government class to get political community service hours and found herself sleeping-in on Friday.

Thirty minutes past midnight, there were about 20 students sleeping when five police officers came in. They walked around the building and told students to have a good night. Unlike the first day of the sleep-in, the police began restricting entry into the building Thursday. No one could re-enter the building, and food and supplies were not allowed in, said student organizer Amanda Mooers, senior sociology major.

The doors were unlocked by 15 police officers in riot gear with zip ties in their pockets, Gomez said.

Yeimi Lopez, intercultural and international communications major and police liaison, asked the police why they were unlocking the doors and they told her she would be receiving a call.

Next, the police told the students if they did not leave in five minutes they would be arrested. Students got to work putting their stuff together, cleaned their space, picked up trash and took down their posters, Gomez said.

Students at the sleep-in said the police videotaped the incident in case students acted violently. Students responded by taking photographs and recording the police as they came down the stairs from the upper floor in the building.

"I felt like this was a victory because all we wanted was the leadership of President (Alexander) Gonzalez," Gomez said. "Instead of being a leader, he sent out a SWAT team."

Students strategically planned and decided they would leave if threatened with force, Lopez said.

"It's a victory because it's only the beginning. Their concern was student safety, but then they turn around with force," Lopez said.

Kim Nava, Sac State spokeswoman, said the police's riot gear was standard for their own safety.

The university's concern was for the students' health and safety since there was no heating or ventilation and the building would be locked all weekend.

"Three days was not a healthy environment," Nava said.

Students formed solidarity during the sleep-in and sit-in, which followed the Wednesday's "Day of Class Action Walkout." The momentum of the student movement was felt by students, faculty and staff who have been working closely to make their discontent heard.

Faculty members brought in their classes for teach-ins. An art professor donated art supplies and poster paper for students, faculty and staff to make a banner to hang on the stairs. Children from the Children's Center decorated a poster for the students occupying the administration building that read, "We want to be able to go to college."

The police have assured protesters these signs will be returned to organizers, Lopez said.

On Friday, Gonzalez issued his response to student demands in a press release.

Gonzalez said as a campus president, his public support is limited to those of the Board of Trustees. He also stated he and the CSU must maintain that private donor information because donors would be less likely to give money for student scholarships.

The longest response from Gonzalez was to the demand to have a moratorium on managerial raises and salaries.

"At this point for our campus and given the ongoing budget situation, I will not be providing any general salary increases at the managerial level unless specifically authorized by the Board of Trustees," Gonzalez said in the release. "However, the demand imposes unrealistic restrictions on only one group of employees &- managers. It would deprive them of the same opportunities for promotion or reclassification or salary adjustments that remain available for faculty and staff."

Students began organizing the following day with their next action, "The Death of Education; the Rebirth of Our Movement," a vigil for higher education will take place at noon Tuesday.

The vigil is to mourn the death of funding for higher education for the CSU system and to honor the rebirth of the student movement to protest the educational funding situation, according to the Sacramento State Coalition.

Mooers said she believes they are making effective change by the resolution unanimously passed by the Student Aid Commission urging the State Legislature after Gonzalez met with the commission on Thursday.

The resolution was for the governor to place a budget measure on the ballot before Californians. The budget measure would provide tax extensions for social services, including higher education.

Mallory Fites can be reached at [email protected]

Sacramento State students from different backgrounds and majors joined professors on Wednesday for "Take Class Action Walkout," a demonstration advocating for changes in the management of the university.

About 1,000 Sac State students, faculty and staff gathered in the Library Quad to listen to speakers and cheer in support. They continued the demonstration by marching to Sacramento Hall chanting slogans like, "They say cutbacks. We say fight back!"

When they got to Sacramento Hall, they passed by the empty office of university President Alexander Gonzalez, who was away at a meeting in Long Beach.

The march, organized by Students for Quality Education and the California Faculty Association, was part of a larger mobilization of CSU campuses to demand quality education. Rallies and demonstrations were held at all 23 CSU campuses Wednesday.

The march at Sac State ended in the lobby of Sacramento Hall where students took turns speaking about how they have been affected by the actions of administrators. It was an intimate environment with everyone standing close to each other in unity.

Students voiced their discontent with Gonzalez's leadership. Their passion and calls for action caused the crowd to erupt in cheering, clapping and whistling. One student even showed his support by banging on a garbage can.

In addition to the march, 900 letters signed by students, faculty and staff advocating for changes in the priorities of the CSU administration were delivered to Gonzalez's office. Requested changes included making class availability and instruction a priority.

Students who could not fit into the building stood outside listening to speakers talk about current student issues, empowerment and administration demands.

At 9 p.m. Wednesday, 15 students were still occupying the lobby of Sacramento Hall with the intent of staying the night.

Organizer Amanda Mooers, senior sociology major, said students will be occupying the building until they meet with Gonzalez to go over the demands from students, faculty and staff.

Junior history major Nora Walker said they are collaborating with the police for permission to stay overnight.

"Tonight is a good example of how far we're willing to go," Walker said.

She was disappointed that Gonzalez was not on campus during the demonstration.

"He decided to leave campus and he had the opportunity to listen to students and now he has to," Walker said.

Students for Quality Education said their request for a meeting with Gonzalez was left unanswered by Mike Lee, vice president of Academic Affairs.

"I feel like to be most effective, he needs to know we're here and he wasn't here. In order to negotiate something and not cause a scene, he needs to be with us instead of just coming to his office tomorrow," said Addison Pressnalle Duff, senior sociology major.

Student organizer Yeimi Lopez, senior communication studies major, said the education of the youth is at stake.

"If our youth cannot get into the CSU system, they will be funneled into the prison system or lower-paying jobs," Lopez said.

Pressnalle Duff said spending the night in Sacramento Hall is a great experience.

"We're all from different walks of life and majors but we hold that communal solidarity," Pressnalle Duff said.

Mallory Fites can be reached at [email protected]

Sacramento State protesters who stayed overnight in the lobby of Sacramento Hall got to meet with President Alexander Gonzalez this morning.

At 7a.m., Gonzalez met with students to discuss their demands and needs regarding California State University cutbacks.

Sac State was the only CSU campus to have students stay overnight in protest.

Student organizer Amanda Mooers, senior sociology major, was one of 15 students who spent the night in Sacramento Hall. Along with two other students, she had the opportunity to speak with Gonzalez for 20 minutes.

"He was very civil and he expressed to the media beforehand that he wanted to listen to us but we felt he gave us the same answers that were given when we had a meeting with him over spring break," Mooers said.

During the meeting with Gonzalez, students presented three demands that were brainstormed during the sleep-in the night before.

The first demand is a freeze on managerial salary raises. Protesters would like to see the funding directed into instruction and student services instead.

They would also like to see public support for Assembly Bill 1326, which would impose an oil and gas severance fee to producers extracting oil or gas from California land or water. The funds from this tax would be allocated to the California Higher Education Fund, directly funding higher education classroom instruction.

The third request is for transparency in higher education with Senate Bill 8. This bill would require auxiliary organizations at community colleges, the CSU and the University of California systems to become more transparent by requiring them to comply with the California Public Records Act. The Public Records Act gives public access to information in possession of public agencies.

Mooers said Gonzalez met these demands with resistance because he said he cannot take a stand against the CSU Board of Trustees. The decisions of the Board of Trustees are final and he said he would be risking his job.

Addison Pressnalle-Duff, senior sociology major, said Gonzalez wanted to meet with students in his office but the leaders of the protest wanted him to speak to them in the lobby.

"We're occupying the building until we get an agreement or a negotiation with President Gonzalez," Pressnalle-Duff said. "We have the leverage to lead and since (the school motto is) 'leadership begins here,' the president should help us."

As promised by Gonzalez at the morning meeting, Gonzalez issued a "President's Update" letter for students, faculty and staff. The letter was read aloud by two students to a crowd of 75 people.

"As it stands now, we continue to prepare for a $500 million reduction – and the plan is to accomplish that without additional increases in tuition fees or drastic cuts in enrollment," Gonzalez wrote in the letter. "A cut of $1 billion would call into question the very survival of the CSU and seriously jeopardize the access and quality we have been able to maintain for our students."

Gonzalez also mentioned that he met with students, listened to their demands and appreciates their peaceful demonstration.

After the letter was read, students, faculty and staff were discontent about the letter. The specific issues and demands that were presented to Gonzalez in the morning were not included in his response.

Briefly after his meeting with students, Gonzalez left Sacramento Hall to attend a meeting with the California Student Aid Commission.

Kevin Wehr, sociology professor and president of the California Faculty Association, said hopefully Gonzalez will come back to campus for his lunch break.

Students demonstrated their commitment to the cause of the protest by making personal sacrifices.

"I'm going to ask my boyfriend if he can please put in some overtime with my son so I can stay here," said Starr Daniels, junior sociology major.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, showed his support of today's demonstration by putting on a red "Students for Quality Education" T-shirt.

"I heard you all the way across town," Portantino said. "Students rock!"