Not generally known as a bastion of political activism, California State University, Dominguez Hills nevertheless became the scene of a student demonstration Thursday as dozens protested the fee increases and program cuts outlined in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's first spending plan.

"They say cut back, we say fight back," shouted a group of students gathered for a series of speeches outside the student union. Many blasted the governor's budget, saying its passage would drive low-income students and minorities out of state schools.

Gayleah Richmond, a 20-year-old majoring in public administration at CSUDH, said she hopes to become the first member of her family to graduate from college. But, she said, another rise in fees may force her to leave school or attend part time.

"I'm out here because this is worth supporting to me," Richmond said. "When you raise fees, you're basically pushing people out of schools."

And that was the point that speakers -- including students, professors and guests from other CSU and community college campuses -- repeatedly drove home.

"The budget is not a done deal," David Bradfield, president of the local faculty union, told the crowd. "The Legislature and the governor can still be influenced."

As part of his campaign to solve California's epic budget crisis, Schwarzenegger has proposed slashing $240 million, or 9 percent, from the 23-campus CSU system for the 2004-05 fiscal year. University officials say these cuts may require CSU to trim enrollment by about 20,000 students.

The governor's proposal also recommends the elimination of funding for the system's popular Educational Opportunity Program, which recruits low-income applicants and prepares them for higher education.

To offset some of the reductions, Schwarzenegger has recommended raising fees by 10 percent for undergraduate students and 40 percent for graduate students. That comes much to the chagrin of many students, who have watched fees spike 40 percent in a little more than a year. Since 1992, tuition has more than doubled.

Currently, CSU's full-time students pay an annual fee of $2,046 and part-timers pay $1,188, not including additional campus-based charges that average $526.

Thursday's rally was organized by Dominguez Hills' student government body -- Associated Students Inc. -- as well as the California Faculty Association and the Congress of Racial Equality.

ASI President David Gamboa, who planned to lobby lawmakers in Sacramento today through Sunday, said organizing a demonstration at a college not known for activism required something of a cultural shift.

Still, he nearly met his goal of attracting 100 people.

"When we told people we were going to have a rally here, they were like, 'A rally?' " he said. "People kind of didn't know what to expect."

Dominguez Hills is, after all, a commuter school attended by a large number of students who are busy with families and full-time jobs. The average age is 27.

But standing among her fellow demonstrators, 20-year-old Rashina Young characterized the rally as a positive first step for the Carson campus.

"As long as we're making our voices heard," she said, "and making ourselves a force to be reckoned with, then maybe people will start paying attention."