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No doubt times are tough for area college students, especially those attending community college. Thousands of classes have been cut, and students say they don't know when they will graduate.
For about 400 students from Mesa, Miramar, and City community college, the state budget cuts have gone too far and this afternoon, many of them showed their frustration. Rallying cries like, 'no more cuts' and 'save our schools,' could be heard in front of City college at a rally this afternoon.
Many students are struggling just to get classes, and it's become very dire for those looking to change their life.
"This is sad, unfair, pathetic, and you can't do anything about it," said student Lema Aguilar.
According to statistics from the San Diego Community College District, over a thousand classes have been eliminated, and the District was forced to make more than $30-million dollars in budget cuts.
It's too much for students wanting to start a new life. Students like Yolanda Kersey attended this afternoon's rally.
" I have two children a 17 year-old and a 10 year old, and we live at St. Vincent's , and I want to make a better future. I don't want to be there for the rest of my life," she said.
Yolanda has already taken a big first step in going to college, but it's a degree and a career is what she's aiming for. If the budget cuts continue, she doesn't know when that will ever happen.
" In order to create jobs, you got to have an education, so it's kind of frustrating when their cutting classes, and people can't get in," she said.
"It's dire to the point of emergency. It's catastrophic," said Dr. Constance Carroll, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District.
The community colleges are more than 95 percent full, according to the district. And more than 10,000 first-time students couldn't even get one class. Students signed a petition this afternoon which will be delivered to the governor's desk. It's gotten to the point where some students are financially helping each other.
"I even came out of my pockets to help a couple of students pay for books because it's a bad situation," said student Mason Walker.
For about 400 students from Mesa, Miramar, and City community college, the state budget cuts have gone too far and this afternoon, many of them showed their frustration. Rallying cries like, 'no more cuts' and 'save our schools,' could be heard in front of City college at a rally this afternoon.
Many students are struggling just to get classes, and it's become very dire for those looking to change their life.
"This is sad, unfair, pathetic, and you can't do anything about it," said student Lema Aguilar.
According to statistics from the San Diego Community College District, over a thousand classes have been eliminated, and the District was forced to make more than $30-million dollars in budget cuts.
It's too much for students wanting to start a new life. Students like Yolanda Kersey attended this afternoon's rally.
" I have two children a 17 year-old and a 10 year old, and we live at St. Vincent's , and I want to make a better future. I don't want to be there for the rest of my life," she said.
Yolanda has already taken a big first step in going to college, but it's a degree and a career is what she's aiming for. If the budget cuts continue, she doesn't know when that will ever happen.
" In order to create jobs, you got to have an education, so it's kind of frustrating when their cutting classes, and people can't get in," she said.
"It's dire to the point of emergency. It's catastrophic," said Dr. Constance Carroll, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District.
The community colleges are more than 95 percent full, according to the district. And more than 10,000 first-time students couldn't even get one class. Students signed a petition this afternoon which will be delivered to the governor's desk. It's gotten to the point where some students are financially helping each other.
"I even came out of my pockets to help a couple of students pay for books because it's a bad situation," said student Mason Walker.
