Published 2011-04-04T21:51:00Z”/>
J.W. Burch, IV
Uncle Sam has been very good to me over the past few years, which makes it very difficult to maintain an anarchist disposition.
He has paid for my tuition, books, supplies, childcare and more. The childcare is especially appreciated – you see, without low-cost or subsidized childcare, either myself or my wife would be forced to remain at home or pay for child care on our own, which in turn would drastically affect our financial situation. We have twins and there is no discount at daycares and preschools.
Thankfully, my children were accepted into the Associated Students Child Development Lab. Rather than pay for school, which is the case for most, I am in fact paid to go to school. This is my job and business is booming.
But my job is in jeopardy. Well, it’s more accurate to say my pay rate is in jeopardy.
Gov. Jerry Brown is hoping to hold a special election in June that will bring a new state budget proposal to the table aiming to reduce the state’s deficit by $12.8 billion. The new budget proposal includes a reduction in the eligibility for subsidized childcare that, if passed, can put many students such as myself on the chopping block.
“It’s a very Draconian proposal,” lab director Susan Toussaint said. “For many it may mean the difference between going to school or not.”
Beyond the state budget cuts, the child development lab will see cuts in funding from Associated Students Activity Fee and other programs. As of March 28, the lab’s allocation of funds is expected to be about $23,300 less this year, according to Jon Slaughter, director of Associated Students Programs and Government Affairs. This, however, is due to decreased enrollment – an expected side effect of a troubled economy.
The childcare I have received is the only thing that has made this whole college thing feasible, as is the case with many student-parents. Without it I would not be where I am or have accomplished nearly as much as I have. I would not have an associate’s degree. I would likely be working a minimum wage job or graveyard shift to make ends meet.
“We’re trying to get people back to work,” Toussaint said. “We’re trying to get people employed. What is the impact if you’re employed and can’t afford child care? How can we get people back to work?”
It makes no sense to force those of us with children to either stubbornly push forward with great effort or throw in the towel. Given the worst case scenario, we will have to cut corners, work harder and sleep less or put school on hold and enter the job market. We have an obligation to succeed in our classes unlike so many students who I witness not caring that they are burning away their parents’ cash. This issue is so drastic that meetings have been called in order to prepare student-parents for the impending blow to their pocketbooks and bank accounts. It can’t be determined how drastic of a blow will take place until the outcome, or postponement, of Brown’s special election.
Until then, all involved with the ASCDL are in limbo.
<strong>J.W. Burch, IV can be reached at</strong>
<em>[email protected]</em>
