California State University: A Student's Perspective

A desolate wasteland, that Cal State LA is. Cafeteria closed early, staff "on leave", dwindling buyback prices - those are only the outward manifestations of a State institution cut off from funding. The students walk zombielike through the halls. Somehow even the interminably long coffee line has diminished.

I thought my teacher was joking when he told me he might be flipping burgers at McDonald's next semester. An e-mail confirmed the fate of this PhD graduate. Though his name still stands amongst faculty listing, it is egregiously missing from payroll. Apparently not even a top-rated Rate-my-professor status can save his part-time job.

My question is, who are those hit hardest by budget cuts, and what does it say about politics? In bold print on the first page of schedules: " The University is deferring the first day of continuing student registration from July 21, 2009 to July 28, 2009 when we will be more certain of the course offerings for the Fall 2009 quarter." Deferments, adjustments, and lay-offs - the tide of financial drought has begun.

This won't affect me-I'm a transfer student, I console myself. Little did I know. First the little things, like that e-mail I received about increased University fees. That's it- I didn't even know there was such thing. University fee? As in an entity that charges me based on its existence? Anyway, there wasn't much protest about that one just as one gleans over hospital bills, happy to get it over with.

It's okay - It'll all be over soon, as I finalize paperwork for my first semester at Parsons. All I needed was a signature to confirm that my 'W' grade was legit for the semester I got sick, and then it's off to New York. Hospital records, teacher consent in hand, I walk to the department of modern languages for final confirmation.

"You need to talk with your teacher first," the secretary barks before I can tell her I have it. She leafs through my papers, then goes, "Where is the memo?" Your guess is as good as mine. Seemingly angry at me for not following mystic protocol, she instructs me to leave and return when I have the proper documentation. I try to find Professor Hsu, but a tag on her window indicates she is on leave.

I'm back at the Department. "I wasn't able to get ahold of the teacher."

"Then I suggest you wait until next quarter because we cannot proceed until we have all the documents." Cold as ice.

On a whim, I ask where the Dean's Office is. Upstairs, I almost run into him. In a shaky voice I explain that whilst I will be moving out of state, I really need the final transcript to be done before next quarter. He understands and overrides the memo.

Downstairs, I relay the message. "The Chair has just left." She says behind the podium.

"May I make an appointment?"

"Are you sure you want to do this?" More sure than you'll ever be.

An hour before my appointment, I receive a phone call from the Chair himself. "Jimena? It's Dr. Pablo. I am calling to see if we can meet another day." Not wanting to start off on the wrong foot, I agree. The following week is a replay of the first day. Just as I was going to present my case, he informs me that he was merely the "acting chair". "Miss Matsunaga is back in her office now. You will have to schedule an appointment with her."

Dejected, I walk into the department of modern languages. "Do you have all of the paperwork?" Secretary says. I am not sure if she remembers me from last week. She takes my file and disappears behind a wall. In ten seconds, she reappears. "You don't have a memo."

"I know," I relay the Dean's consent. Secretary disappears, then drop the bomb on me: "Dr Matsunaga needs to confirm what you just said. He is currently on vacation."

"When is he coming back?" I venture. I have a feeling he never will.

"In two weeks."

August 3^rd,2009. I am back at the department of modern languages. My paper, dated June 6, seem stale and old. I give it a shake, and walk into the department of modern languages. Secretary is like a ticket dispenser, only my number says "ON VACATION".

"Dr Matsunaga is gone this week." Really, someone could've given me a memo.

"May I see the acting chair?" I am rescheduled. Parsons e-mails me for transcript. Back to Pablo, he can't get ahold of Dean, who is in a meeting. I wait it out. 2 hours later, same deal. I call it a day.
Today from the desk of Pablo Picasso--
"I got ahold of the teacher. She is right now in Taiwan. She says she doesn't know who you are." D'OH!
Of course she doesn't know who I am if I never even showed up. "I will e-mail you when she e-mails me." These two F's get fat off my buck while Cal State LA turns a blind eye. It is now a week away from orientation in a state halfway across the country. Will I make it? Fuck you, budget cuts. I want my money back.