The time has come, once again, to gather on the steps of the state Capitol with thousands of other community college students to remind our legislators and governor that we cannot take any more budget cuts.

This year, California community colleges are facing a $400 million decrease, forcing them to raise tuition from $18 per unit to $26 per unit, an increase that closes the doors on an additional 175,000 students.

The Associated Students of Bakersfield College invite you to accompany us to Sacramento on Monday. ASBC will provide transportation, but keep in mind that a limited number of seats are available. We will meet in Campus Center at 3:30 a.m. Monday to board the bus to Sacramento.

If you are in good academic standing and have gained your instructors’ support, Dean of Students Beto Gonzalez and ASBC encourage you to join us. We also will meet in Campus Center at noon Saturday to make picket signs to carry on the march – all materials will be provided.

ASBC took part in this event last year. We still carry with us the unspoken understanding and off-the-charts energy shared among the thousands that were there. We want to urge students to sign up on the sheets posted around the campus. Come join us for an opportunity to be a part of history!

– Bethany Johnson is a member of ASBC.