Numbering over 8,000 strong, on March 15 students from all across California made their voices of protest heard. They protested fee increases, further budget cuts, and most importantly, the death of an institution that would help lead them to a fulfilled life and not a dead-end job.As specific details go, Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed that the current $18 per unit fee be increased to $26 per unit. This comes less than a year after tuition fees were already increased. Another proposed idea to help the financially ailing UC and CSU systems is sending 10 percent of incoming freshmen to community colleges.The Skyline View finds these suggestions ridiculous and opposes the proposed tuition increase as well as any further budget cuts. The Skyline View also vehemently opposes the siphoning of UC and CSU qualified students to community colleges as a cost-cutting measure. Such measures will not only hurt CC’s but the entire higher educational system in California.It was bad enough when under Gov. Davis’ administration, the state proposed an exorbitant increase from the then $11 per unit to $24 per unit. The state’s community college students, shocked by the news, headed en masse to the capitol and demanded better treatment than what was being proposed. Subsequently, the fees were raised, but only to $18 per unit.Even though it might seem like the protesting did no good, that was not the case. Obviously, such protesting is effective otherwise community college students would be worse off than they are now.And let’s not forget about the detrimental cuts made to special programs and services, due to lack of state funding. During the last round of cuts, programs like Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) and Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) took a 43 percent cut-a cut which has made it harder for students who would benefit from these to actually receive help. Who is to say that if these already outlandish cuts were made, that similar cuts won’t be made again in the future? Perhaps the most ridiculous aspect to Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposal would be that 10 percent of incoming UC and CSU freshmen be diverted to community colleges. While this may help these institutions save money, it would place perhaps an insurmountable burden upon community colleges. Since as far as anyone knows, no new funding will be coming the CC’s way, there will be no way to accommodate the onslaught of excess students. Without the funds to maintain the schools, pay the teachers, or run the programs and classes needed, the actuality of this happening is next to impossible.If such proposals actually come to pass, California legislators are ensuring dead-end careers to hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people because having a higher education is absolutely necessary for having a better paying job. Despite what students are told about CC’s being a quick, two-year affair, this is usually not the case. And while attending a UC or a CSU does not necessarily guarantee a successful future, such four-year institutions put degrees in the hands of students quicker than CC’s do.The Skyline View supports the students that protested these potentially damaging cuts and increases. Indeed, the state has its priorities confused-it should be increasing funding and decreasing tuition, not the other way around. Higher education should be available to everyone who wants to take advantage of it, not only those who can afford it.