Hundreds of CFA activists gathered for an amazing weekend filled with inspiration, unity, and building union strength April 14-15 during CFA’s 87th Assembly, held in Los Angeles.
For years, Dr. Cecil Canton has worked tirelessly to cultivate a deeper understanding of equity, anti-racism, and social justice. This year, he is being honored for his dedication.
The 1,000 California State University students, faculty and supporters who rallied for the CSU at the State Capitol last week generated a significant amount of energy and support for the CSU.
If a California public employee is found by an agency investigation to have a committed a crime, the results are public record. That makes sense. While due process rights must always be protected, most public employees found guilty are not protected from public scrutiny.
In a stunning show of solidarity and strength, over 1,000 students, faculty and allies overtook the State Capitol’s North side during CFA’s #FreeTheCSU day of action Wednesday, calling on Gov. Jerry Brown to increase critical funding for the California State University.
Faculty sent a strong message to state lawmakers during a hearing on education finance and the CSU, urging them to increase the CSU’s budget augmentation and set aside $50 million of existing, ongoing funds for more tenure-track faculty hires.
It was a day of activism and strength on April 4, as over 1,000 CSU students, faculty, and allies converged on the State Capitol to tell Gov. Jerry Brown to #FreeTheCSU and #FundTheDream.
Additional photo galleries will be posted in coming weeks.
TRANSPARENCY TALKS: Black Lives Matter activists, including CFA Professor Melina Abdullah, journeyed to the State Capitol this week to urge lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 1421, which seeks to increase transparency surrounding police investigations.
In the latest edition of Radio Free CSU, CFA Vice President Charles Toombs joins host Audrena Redmond to discuss how the union is deliberately addressing racism, obstacles that have sprouted up along the way, and what faculty and activists can do to help ensure they are part of the solution.
THE JUNE PRIMARY IS COMING AND CFA WILL BE PHONE-BANKING TO #FreeTheCSU: The California Primary Election is June 5, meaning it’s coming up fast. All statewide offices are open and the top two vote-getters, regardless of political party, will face off in the November General Election. CFA members will be invited to make phone calls through your campus CFA chapter. CFA has endorsed Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom for Governor, Assembly member Tony Thurmond for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Incumbent Betty Yee forState Controller, Incumbent Alex Padilla for Secretary of State, CPA Fiona Ma for Treasurer, and State Senator Ricardo Lara for Insurance Commissioner. Learn more about CFA endorsements.
APRIL 20 IS NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS: On the 19th anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, the National Education Association, California Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers, and organizations of students, parents, school administrators and many others are calling for a day of action. Supporters will wear orange, and at events they will read the names of victims as well as hold sit-ins and lobby elected officials. Learn more and get tools to help spread the word. See CFA’s message of support for the #NeverAgain movement: “Parkland Students, We Stand With You.”
Humboldt CFA Chapter President Renée Byrd took to the public-comment microphone at the CSU Trustees meeting last Wednesday to make a straightforward request: “I’m here to call on you in this room, and the entire CSU system, to help us save public higher education at Humboldt.”
The Humboldt administration has announced a budget shortfall of $9 million, and that a substantial amount must be cut from instruction.
The CFA Equity Conference wasn’t even yet concluded before eager questions started rolling in— “When is the next event?” “How do I get more involved?” “How can we stay connected?”
The flood of positive feedback was testament to the success and service of the Equity Conference, which was held March 16-17 in Los Angeles.
“The Equity Conference is a place to be your authentic self and a place to recharge your batteries,” said Cecil Canton, Associate Vice President of Affirmative Action. “It is the event where lasting relationships are built and activists are inspired. I hope members left with a sense of commitment and purpose, and were able to find joy in being, learning, and working together.”
