Last Tuesday, a protest rally against the recent fee increases and the CURE budget cuts was scheduled to be held at noon. Student organizations felt it was necessary to let Chancellor Gora and the Committee on University Resources and Expenditures (CURE) know how frustrating it is for some UMB students who are struggling to come up with extra money.

Sponsored by Casa Latina and several other student groups and centers, the rally’s intent was to organize students, faculty and staff against the removal of former CPCS Dean Dr. Ismael Ramirez-Soto and faculty cuts, parking fee increases, and a lack of student input on changes that increase economic hardship to students.

However, the students journeying to and from classes never actually formed into a crowd of protestors in front of the Wheatley Hall. Instead, they diverted toward the free food and live music in front of the Administration Building.

Eventually, the “rally” turned out to be a “one-on-one” discussion between faculty, students and staff. New Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs J. Keith Motley was there, as well as UMass Boston Athletic Director Charlie Titus. Motley told Francisco Toro, coordinator and founder of Casa Latina, that he feels it is necessary to organize the student centers when it comes to potentially divisive issues like the budget cuts.

Francisco Toro, coordinator of Casa Latina, also hopes to find alternative ways to mobilize UMB students against unfair fee increases. The fee increases not only affect students, but the faculty and staff as well.

“Students at UMass Boston are economically challenged,” says Toro, “I talked to one student who is taking six classes this semester to avoid paying the increased fees next semester.” Toro, who founded Casa Latina in 1990, is presently a full-time student, working three jobs and caring for two children.

The inability of the UMass Boston administration to negotiate a contract with former Dean Ramirez-Soto is a reflection of yet another hardship the university is presently facing. According to a Press and Community Advisory, “In the two years of the Jo Ann Gora administration, UMass Boston has lost 8 senior administrators of color.”

This leads many to the conclusion that decisions made by the university are not in the best interests of the students. Protesting against these issues is necessary, according to Toro.

“Why is there no money for handicapped people to park for free, but there is money for the campus center?” Toro wonders, “Why not keep the Campus Center closed for another year and save the university a million dollars?”