Raise Funds for Students, Not Corporations

By: Nayeli Tirado

When you think of the University of California and its iconic campus, you most likely envision the Campanile, Sather Gate or Lower Sproul. Few would imagine the Hearst Field Annex, but to some, this is the only place where they can find community. 

The Latinx Student Resource Center is a place on campus where Latinx-idenfiying students can go to find study spots, guidance, food and more importantly connect with those who share the same culture and experiences. In the past two years, the LSRC was moved THREE times. Today, it is not only located in an isolated area on campus, but is consistently struggling to secure funding. Earlier in the academic school year, the LSRC lost 800,000 dollars after a private donor pulled funds due to the campus mishandling them. Lack of adequate space and funding has been a recurring injustice at Cal. Despite making advocacy groups around this issue and urging the chancellor to take action, this group of marginalized students continues to be ignored. 

The UC Berkeley administration needs to do better to accommodate these students. But, like most issues in California, the root of the problem can be traced back to Proposition 13. If a reform on the proposition were to pass in California, more funds would be allocated to k-12 schools, community colleges AND public universities. Schools like Berkeley would have more funds to allocate to students. Ethnic groups on campus, like the Latinx student body, wouldn't have to rely on private donors to fund resources and councilors that the university should have been providing them in the first place. 

Proposition 13 has had a large influence in California funding for so long that it's difficult to see the lasting effects. This harmful state legislation is still disproportionately targeting minority students who have worked hard to get a higher education. Until we can reform it, students of color at Berkeley will have to continue to fight for a safe space and equitable treatment on campus, while rich cooperation pockets millions at their expense.