The United States Student Association (USSA) has always supported grassroots efforts that empower young people and raise awareness about issues in higher education.  In keeping with this practice, USSA supports the March 4th Day of Action in Defense of Public Education. The event was inspired by the demonstration of student power during the University of California Board of Regents vote to increase fees 32%, tripling the cost of a UC education from a decade ago.  Organizers of the March 4th Day of Action are working to expand that energy to a national campaign to fight for increased educational access.

_________________________________

Our Demands:

Full funding and access to higher education

- No more tuition hikes nor cuts on our budgets.  Education was free in the 1960's, why not now?

Campus democracy and proportionate representation in decision making

- Administrators and legislators continue to ignore the voice of students and workers. We need to fight for a seat in decision making bodies of our universities and states in order to reprioritize education.

Fighting corporatization/ privatization of our education

- Everyday we see more corporations coming to our schools to provide mandatory services. Many of these corporations are known violators of workers' rights both on campus and abroad. We need to hold our universities accountable.

State and federal government accountability

- It's time to tell our legislators that we were the ones who elected them and now we are demanding change in their practices. States should have a percentage of their budgets dedicated to higher education and we are demanding the federal  student aid reform.

Stopping layoffs and good union jobs in our universities

- Unions are the best way to assure living wages for all employees. We need to look at where we are prioritizing our funds and how to continue supporting communities around universities.

_________________________________

In response to mounting state deficits, legislators and campus administrators have mitigated budget shortfalls on the backs of students by slashing higher education funding and raising costs.  These fiscal policies are indicative of a larger political climate that fails to recognize the long-term social and economic value of an education, or the inherent right of everyone to better their own lives through the pursuit of a college degree.  Students must work in a common effort against this historic divestment and unite with one voice to demand education as a right.

USSA calls on students nationwide to participate in this day of action by contacting your local organizer and getting involved in your area.  We also urge students to use the day of action to propel two pieces of federal legislation for ward that will expand access to education. A companion bill to the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act needs to be passed in the Senate to help ensure that the student loan industry works for students instead of big lenders.  Additionally, the DREAM Act must pass, throwing open the college doors for thousands of deserving undocumented students. While we must achieve much more beyond what we can accomplish in one day, these actions will hopefully empower young people across the country to restore education to its preeminent position as the driving force behind social progress and economic prosperity. 

USSA invites student leaders and activists from across the country to take part in a national student mobilization in Washington DC on March 23rd. As the culmination of our annual Grassroots Legislative Conference and National Student Lobby Day, students will be rallying on Capitol Hill to demand that higher education in our nation must be affordable and accessible to all.