CFA urges students to vote

Voter registration material to be passed out in classes

The California Faculty Association met Thursday to enhance its non-partisan student-voter registration drive.

Although this is the CFA's first voter registration drive at Cal State Long Beach, Consuelo Nieto, a professor in the College of Education, said it won't be the last.

"It will not be the last time, because we care about our students and it's important that they know [that]," Nieto said.

CFA President Pat Nichelson stressed the importance of the stud ent vote and how it's directly related to their education. "It is essential that students get involved in the political process," Nichelson said. "There's a direct connection between access to classes and student fees and who's in the Legislature and t he governor's office."

Some CFA members who are also professors will be passing out voter registration forms in their classes to get students involved in the political process.

The CFA has been concerned about low student registration and vo ter turnout. According to Nichelson, only about 20 percent of students eligible to vote actually do so.

According to Nichelson, the Cal State University system is affected more than any other educational system in Cailifornia by legislative decis ions. "The state Legislature is like our school board," Nichelson said.

Nieto said universities are competing with prisons for state funds, and if Gov. Pete Wilson remains in office, decisions regarding education will not be the top priority. It's clear to us when [Wilson] decides what needs to be cut or saved, higher education will not matter," Nieto said.

Mike Hassul, CFA southern chapter president and engineering professor, agreed with Nieto that higher education is not a priority in Wil son's administration.

"Our present governor is more interested in building prisons than higher education," Hassul said, adding that the upcoming election is important because the Legislature "doesn't have the guts to deal with the budget until afte r the election."

Students who need voter registration cards can contact Nieto at (310) 985-4537.