[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_17842820]
California Maritime Academy faculty members joined teachers and students across the state Wednesday in protesting overcrowded classrooms, canceled courses and higher tuition fees.
"We are fighting for our rights," California Maritime instructor Peter Hayes said. "We're not looking for more money. We just want to maintain our voice."
Positioned at the campus's front gate at 200 Maritime Drive in Vallejo, the small brigade of union faculty members waved signs reading "Keep Quality in Education" and "Fair Contract for Faculty."
In addition to proposed pay cuts and increased class sizes, the peaceful group was also protesting rising CSU student fees, which have jumped 224 percent since 1998, according to the California Faculty Association.
The California State University system has been cut by $1.5 billion in recent years due to the state's budget crisis. Lawmakers are now looking to slash another $500 million to $1 billion as they struggle to close the state's nearly $27 billion deficit.
Cal Maritime, with about 800 students, is the smallest CSU campus.
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California Maritime Academy faculty member Chris Clott passes out informational pamphlets Wednesday as he pickets with his peers. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
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