"To be eliminated" at Evergreen

TO BE “ELIMINATED”

by Ben Gallup


A document that the administration didn't want you to know about was leaked to the Evergreen Committee for Full Funding. This is the only proposed “scenario”; an itemized list of which programs are recommended for “elimination” as of July 1, 2009. Though they assure us that “nothing has been decided for certain”, we will find no comfort in this, the only proposal from the administration.

The following are to be “eliminated”:
Evergreen Tacoma
The Longhouse
Reservation-Based Programs
The CCBLA
The Labor Center
The Washington Center
Evergreen Center for Educational Improvement
NW Indian Research Center
Beginning the Journey
The Computer Applications Lab

Folks, this is less than half of the list! There are severe cuts proposed for many programs such as study abroad, performing arts, etc. Many students believe that programs such as these are absolutely integral to the Evergreen experience. Also, this “scenario” is assuming a 7% tuition increase, and given the worsening state budget crisis, we could see an even worse scenario by the time decisions are made.

I sent this information over tesccrier on January 28 at 10:00pm. Conveniently, the document appeared on the notoriously labyrinthine TESC website the next day. Don Bantz remarks on the web page that he wants us all “to have the same access to this information.” You'll also notice that after my tesccrier posting, the word “eliminate” was changed to the more innocuous term “discontinue”. The document is viewable at:
http://collab.evergreen.edu/budget/files/budget/Academics%20Budget%20Reduction%20Scenarios%201-29-09%20Draft.pdf

This message is not intended to demonize TESC administration; they are clearly between a rock and a hard place. They are being forced to make tough decisions. This document also mentions that one Dean is to be “eliminated”. Also, Les Purce (our president) says that he will be taking a voluntary pay cut. I don't believe that the administration is behaving maliciously, but their claims of transparency and student inclusion obviously cannot be taken in good-faith, considering these events. Also, we can't help but notice that people who are underrepresented in our society will suffer from this "scenario" disproportionately. The administration is calling for “prioritizing” programs. This means hacking off a number of programs, such as those listed above, rather than distributing the cuts more evenly. What about the students' perspectives? They say they want our input, but how can we participate in a dialogue if we are being deliberately and systematically denied access to critical information? Maybe they should be informing the students of the situation in some concrete, straight-forward manner, instead of offering only the vague, placating statements they have issued or publishing documents after they have already been leaked. To borrow a lyric from a country song, they're treating us like mushrooms: feedin' us shit and keepin' us in the dark.

Ultimately these cuts are resulting from the combination of an economic crisis and one of the most regressive state tax systems in the country. The (Democratic) governor is not just cutting higher education this year. She is calling for the closure of 13 state parks, the lay-off of thousands of State employees, cutting programs for the homeless, devastating Washington Basic Health, and much more. The struggle for full funding of society's needs will not end with this fiscal year. The programs we need will be sacrificed at the altar of the Market. As our economy slips into the Greater Depression, we will see more and more cuts like this. (Of course, there will plenty of cash for war and bankers) Our true enemy is not TESC administration. The source of these problems is much larger and systemic, but we have to struggle for our interests in any way we can now.

The Evergreen Committee for Full Funding is calling for students to get together in the coming weeks, to express ourselves collectively, calling for full funding of society's needs. There will be a rally against state budget cuts at the capitol on Monday, February 16 (President's Day). We will meet at Tivoli Fountain on the state capitol campus at 10:30 AM. Please spread the word, make announcements in your classes, and bring signs to the rally. There will be another rally at the capitol on February 24. We will be joined at both rallies by other students and workers who will be hurt by the state budget cuts. It is important that we maintain a “NO CUTS TO ANYONE!” message, rather than just fighting for our campus at the expense of the homeless, folks without health care (like me), people in state-run chemical dependency treatment centers, etc. who need funding at least as badly as we do.

In Germany, a national student strike was held by 100,000 people protesting education funding cuts. In Rome, Italy, 500,000 students protested cuts to higher education, yelling “If they block our future, we'll block the city!” In Ireland, 100,000 people (out of their population of just 3 million) came out in protest against education cuts. In 2006, 100,000 Greek students went on strike to protest education cuts, holding occupations of 90% of the universities. In France, as thousands of students came out in protest against education cuts, Sarkozy backed off his plans in fear of “Greek syndrome”. And at Evergreen State College...?

We will not draw 500,000 people, nor will there be a coup d’état at the State capitol, but we are powerful if we come together as a community.

To get involved, please email: EvergreenCFF@gmail.com

Also, look for Evergreen Committee for Full Funding on facebook.