Since its inception in 2007-8, Students for Quality Education has been campaigning for a return to the California Master Plan of Education. This plan guaranteed every eligible student in California a pathway to an affordable, accessible, quality undergraduate education. In 2015 SQE officially replaced “affordable education” with “free education” in our mission, explicitly committing to building a student movement that will fight for free higher education throughout the state. In the 1960s, when the Master Plan was implemented, tuition was free. In other countries around the globe tuition is free. And here in California we know tuition can be free again, if we make millionaires and corporations pay their fair share. We believe that education is a human right and that an accessible higher education system is at the heart of what makes California strong.
So what are we doing about it?
- We are talking with students on our campuses about how we know free higher education is possible in California, and why we should fight for it.
- We are working to develop our vision for how to achieve free higher education in California. What kind of plan do we need? How will it be funded? Who will benefit? To ensure that we build a campaign that reflects the realities of CSU student experiences and needs, we conducted a short survey last fall. Having data to back up our vision will help us put pressure on politicians running for elected office in 2018 to show up for students and support free higher education.
- We are continuing to fight tuition increases as they come our way, while reminding ourselves and our allies that the only way to stop these constant attacks is to fight for systemic change.
- We are building our membership and fighting for educational justice in all forms on campus. Join us!