Students who use their power, intelligence and might to press for social or economic change have shown they can be a potent force, and often California student activists have been at the fore.

In March thousands of students staged protests against the war in Iraq. Presciently, many drew attention to reports that the Bush administration intended to use methods that constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Five years ago students held rallies, teach-ins and sit-ins to protest sweatshops and press for better wages for janitors, food service personnel and other campus employees who work for a pittance. Student activists furthered the anti-apartheid movement in the 1980s by urging colleges to sell off stock in companies doing business in South Africa. In the 1960s, when campus activism peaked, students participated in the potent civil rights, anti-war and women's movements.

So what are CSU-Monterey Bay students protesting? They're agitating for a better view of Monterey Bay. Specifically, they oppose President Peter Smith's decision to locate top administrators' offices on the fourth floor of a proposed multimillion-dollar library, partially blocking bay views from a student reading room. University officials expect that the offices will block about 15 percent of the view; some students believe the scenic eclipse would be wider.

This isn't the best use of student power. Moving administrative offices into the library means the university may save some money. Locating the president's office in the library has symbolic value because it emphasizes the university's commitment to academics. The arrangement also will give students and faculty greater access to the president and means more visitors will be exposed to library.

In the spirit of encouraging activism at CSUMB, we suggest that students:

• Protest Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's failure to promptly investigate allegations of torture -- which he still insists on calling "abuse" -- of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison.

• Protest Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to further reduce state support for CSU and the University of California. Course offerings would be reduced, faculty would be laid off, fees would go up and enrollment would be curtailed. Smith estimates that up to 500 students may not be admitted to CSUMB this fall because of the looming cuts.

• Push for more support for activities that enhance student life on the isolated campus. Data indicate that many CSUMB students are concerned about alcohol consumption on campus. Other data show that 47 percent of CSUMB students either drink lightly or not at all and want social outlets other than parties. Advocate for a student union and increased hours at the student center, gym, Black Box Cabaret, library and Media Learning Complex.

In short, student activists, engage.