Public University Not Private

Aung Lin

ASA 2-Reading Reflection #4

Title: Public University Not Private   

Word Count:318

1.   Title: “Fighting Privatization, Occupy Activists at CUNY and UC Kick Into High Gear” by Josh Eidelson.

UC Berkeley Sproul Plaza 

All of us should go to UC Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza when they have meetings if we agree that university education should be free. I didn't know UC Berkeley had many meetings at the Sproul Plaza to fight for university education. In 2004, UC chancellors signed an agreement with governor Schwarzenegger to look for private donations to the system’s budget. I wonder why nothing has changed since then. After reading this article, I was shocked that police pepper sprayed and beat up these poor students that believe that it’s not ok to privatize the university at the rallies. We are in America and universities should not be private education.  

Questions:

1)      After all these protesting by these poor students, how come tuition fees never came down and keeps going up each year at universities?

2. “A Tale of two campuses: Berkeley and Davis Respond to Occupy Movements” by Alan Markow.

               

UC Davis Dutton Hall 

I don’t mind students protesting in front of Dutton Hall for high tuition fees but I can’t believe they didn't clean up after themselves after they moved their tents. Just because of this it cost UC Davis $8,500 just to clean up. I really wish volunteers from campus can come and help clean this mess.

Questions:

1)      Berkeley announced plans to make their campus more affordable for middle class families. When will UC Davis do that and why UC Davis didn't make any effort yet?

2)      UC Davis Dutton Hall was trashed and caused $8,500 to clean up the mess after the two week protest. How come UC Davis officials didn't ask for volunteers to clean up the mess? Why didn't  the protesters didn't clean up their own mess?