Public Snapchat footage of the walkout.

Humboldt State University students staged a walkout this afternoon to protest the $9 million in budget cuts proposed by school administrators to quell what is being called a “fiscal emergency.”

The protest, organized by the group Student Coalition for Organizing and Direct Action, began in the University Center Quad, where dozens of students gathered around to listen to megaphone-wielding speakers address concerns with the impending cuts.

Public Snapchat footage of the walkout shows that protesters then marched into the hallway outside President Lisa Rossbacher’s office, demanding answers.

“Organized students have strategically planned this walkout during the Accreditation Review, which will evaluate HSU’s educational quality, student success, and our institutional and fiscal sustainability,” a SCODA press release states. “Students are ready to hold our Administrators accountable. Students and faculty face homelessness and food insecurity while our Administrators have just given themselves another raise. Enough is enough.”

Multiple police agencies responded to the walkout. The police presence was documented by seemingly concerned protesters in the Snapchat videos above.

A spokesperson with the California Highway Patrol told the Outpost today that officers were there to assist with one possibly unruly person on campus, but there’s no word if any protesters were actually detained or arrested.

The Outpost reached out to Lt. Melissa Hansen of the University Police Department but has not immediately heard back.

Read more in the SCODA press release below:

On Wednesday, March 21st at 1:10pm, HSU students are walking out to protest budget cuts. Organized students have strategically planned this walkout during the Accreditation Review, which will evaluate HSU’s educational quality, student success, and our institutional and fiscal sustainability.Humboldt State University has a continuing history of financial and housing crises— a product of bloated Administrator salaries, historical embezzlement scandals, and continued mismanagement.HSU is currently in yet another housing crisis. At the same time, faculty and staff are facing layoffs. Classes necessary for graduation are on the chopping block. Our critical services, like childcare, are being privatized.

When students engage Administrators, participate in forums, and ask polite questions, we are given the runaround. We are told this crisis is not for us to worry about. Our Administrators repeatedly deny responsibility for our state of affairs and cut everyone’s budgets but their own.

Students are ready to hold our Administrators accountable. Students and faculty face homelessness and food insecurity while our Administrators have just given themselves another raise. Enough is enough. 

The California State University system was intended to be free, and we will fight to achieve free, equal access to higher education for all.

Student Coalition for Organizing and Direct Action (SCODA) is a diverse coalition of students and community members dedicated to addressing institutional inequality. Please join us and the community in this direct action.