Jonathan McCracken, 35, Los Angeles Mission College

Jonathan McCracken is one of the many students who have suffered the consequences of class cancellations in community colleges following budget cuts. Jonathan was one class away from obtaining his paralegal certificate, when the class he needed was cancelled. “I felt deprived from getting my paralegal certificate because I could not take the last class I needed to complete my degree,” he says. Finally, a year later, the class was added to the class schedule. Jonathan enrolled in the course, and obtained his paralegal certificate this summer. In addition to the shortage of classes, Jonathan feels that many students are not attending college because they are not aware of the financial aid that is available.

Esther Uriostegui, 19, Santa Ana College

Growing up with a heavy Spanish accent, Esther Uriostegui was often teased by her classmates in elementary school, and without money to buy books or supplies, she often felt discouraged. With incredible determination, however, she has now become one of the most involved students on the Santa Ana College campus. In addition to being a full-time student, she is the president of both the Associated Student Body and MECha, and still works 20 hours a week. According to Esther, overcrowding is a huge issue at Santa Ana College. “When there are no seats, students can’t get into the class, so they might loose another semester, and it is harder to graduate. So instead of taking two years, it takes like three years.” She asserts that overcrowding does not just delay transfer, but also reduces the quality of one’s education, as students do not always get the chance to ask the questions that they need to.

Jennifer Renee Prudhome, 19, Cal State State Long Beach

Jennifer Renee Prudhome is currently a fashion major at Cal State Long Beach. Jennifer says that she faces great difficulties getting the classes she needs because her major is so impacted. "There are so many students, and not enough fashion courses. I don't know what I am going to do." Because of budget cuts, many courses that Jennifer needs have been removed, she says. Ultimately, this has led to overcrowding of existing courses and students like Jennifer are forced to wait to take their required classes. “Students often go and ask teachers personally if they can join the class. Sometimes, if they're lucky, the teacher will take a few extra [students]."

Paul Tierney, 24, University of California, Riverside

Having just completed his first year at University of California, Riverside, Paul Tierney has been impressed with the amount of resources available, but says that some of them, such as the computer labs, aren’t as available as he would like. Paul says that there is usually a one-hour wait to use a computer during the day in one of the labs on campus, which makes it difficult for him to get his work done. Paul also says that textbooks are too pricey for many students, including him, so he often goes to the library to check out the textbooks in hopes that they are available. Paul’s chosen major, Political Science, is also one of the most popular at UCR, so he has a hard time getting classes. Even when Paul enrolls on time, he finds it difficult to obtain a spot in a course. He is often waitlisted, and can’t get a course until people drop out.

Jamie Kim, 19, University of California, Irvine

Jamie Kim started University of California, Irvine as a Biological Sciences major at her parents’ request, but chose to change her major to Criminal Law. Jamie says that she prefers to write, speak and engage in public debates. To compromise between her interests and her parents’ wishes, Jamie will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Law and a minor in Biology. As a freshman, Jamie had difficulty getting into the classes that she wanted, but says she usually gets into one or two required classes. “Every quarter takes a lot of work to get into classes,” she says. “I have to run around from one class to another, trying to find open classes.” Moreover, she explains that many of her classes are overcrowded, and students are forced to sit on the floor. Jamie says students should not be allowed to sit on the floor because it is a “fire hazard.”

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