Re "The annual community college protest march loses some oomph," March 16: I can agree with most of what columnist Dan Walters referred to as the improved budget for community colleges proposed by the governor. However, additional context is needed to understand the march by students.A founding principle of community college education is the open access and opportunity for all students who desire a higher education. The low cost of community colleges has been a major pathway for people to rise out of poverty, improve their career, develop their skills and grow as individuals. The low student fees are a major strength of our state, an envy of the nation and a key part to our economic recovery.
Unfortunately, as fees increase from $11 to the proposed $26 per unit within two years (136 percent), the economic barrier to that educational opportunity becomes greater, especially for low-income groups and minorities.
Students, faculty, staff and administrators from community colleges marched to the Capitol because they so clearly understood the personal impact that increased fees represent.

- Dean Murakami, Sacramento
Professor of Psychology, American River College

Community college fees are going up, but they are not getting out of hand. A community college education in California is still the best deal in America. Consider the fact that prior to 1984, the per-unit cost was zero. In 1984, fees began at $5 per unit. Twenty years later, students are asked to pay $26 per unit next semester. There are things to be unhappy about, but $26 per unit is not one of them. It's time we all set our priorities and take advantage of the still small price to pay for a quality education.

- Curtis Johnson, Antelope

Walters quips that the low number of protesters this year reflects Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's popularity in comparison to former Gov. Gray Davis. I don't think this is a case of community college students being enamored with their governor. Despite 10,000 students protesting last March a fee increase was implemented in fall 2003. Facing another proposed increase, roughly 5,000 people bothered to show up and voice their displeasure. It is obvious that the smaller turnout has less to do with being star struck by the Governator and more to do with students' pleas falling on deaf ears.

Why should students continue to waste valuable time protesting when it is evident that policy-makers have an agenda they plan to see through? The governor and the Legislature failed to listen to our voices last March, and apparently many students feel powerless against the same inevitable conclusion this year.

- Mark Ferguson, Sacramento

Most Californians oppose the act of increasing school fees. However, as an international student who is seeking education in California, I agree to the increase of school tuition for the local students.

If the state does not increase the tuition fees of local students, then they will increase the international students' school fees instead. The state charges international students $183 for one unit. We pay 10 times more than the local students' tuition. We are helping the state to maintain its economic stability.

Californians need to pay more to support the colleges. Otherwise, the state will only continue to reduce more and more classes in colleges and universities. Decreasing the number of classes creates barriers for students who seek a college education. Not enough classes is equal to fewer opportunities for all students to succeed.

I also oppose the reduction from 33 percent to 20 percent the amount of new student fees earmarked for financial aid. This action will only lead to more dropouts and thus create more crimes in the society.

- HiuYing Chau, Folsom

Re "Students go out to rein in fees," March 12: When all else was equal, I always hired a non-Californian over a native Californian. Why? Kids who grow up in California are spoiled rotten.

Recent demonstrations by community college students spotlight the issue. The costs of two years in a California community college have been largely free for decades. But the result is that our good community college instructors must often baby-sit many aimless students who see the two-year free ride as an extension of high school.

- Roger S. Peterson, Rocklin

I find it interesting that the local college students are so upset about a raise in tuition. Their priorities seem to be skewed. They have no qualms about buying CDs, expensive tennis shoes, the latest cell phones, bottled water, expensive cars and designer beers. But a raise in tuition causes them to demonstrate at the Capitol. I don't get it.

- Marlene May, Sacramento

The articles about the community college student protest failed to report the real problem, which is the annual Proposition 98 split ripoff.

Proposition 98 is a constitutional provision that requires a minimum funding level for California's public education system. What many do not know is that this includes community colleges and that in 1989, trailer legislation was enacted that required and described a split between the K-12 and community college systems. In the California Education Code Section 41203.1, the community college portion was determined to be 10.93 percent. Unfortunately for community college students, the legal split amount has been suspended by the Legislature in every year since 1992. The financial deprivation totals $4 billion since this annual raid has begun.

In 2003-2004, the community colleges received only a 9.6 percent share of available funds and this year the proposed budget is 10.03 percent. Last year, community college students were deprived of $700 million and this year another $400 million. The students in the Los Rios system represent more than 4 percent of the total state enrollment and have been shortchanged more than $50 million in the last two years.

- Dennis Smith, Sacramento
Accounting Professor, Sacramento City College

The state is broke and local governments are drowning in red ink. Against this backdrop, California junior colleges remain the cheapest in the nation, even at the proposed $26 per-unit fee. There was a time when responsible parents saved for their children's college education. As a taxpayer, I don't feel it's my responsibility to provide this education.

Liberal legislators are simply pimping, pandering and posturing to minority students. Thank God for term limits. These are the same liberal legislators who spent this state into bankruptcy. My advice to these students is to pay their own way, access the money their parents saved for their college education, earn a scholarship or take out a student loan. If these aren't options, then you are "not" college material. Time to start thinking manual labor.

- Rick Morrison, Gold River