Students are “United for Change” to fight a new policy at the California Polytechnic Institute in Pomona, where students can no longer use debit cards or the Visa credit cards on campus, and are charged a 2.9 percent fee on all other credit card transactions.

The “United for Change” campaign has nine high-profile student leaders voicing concerns over the policy in emails, public statements, planned rallies, and Facebook. The campaign’s members come from diverse backgrounds on campus, including presidents and vice presidents from the Associated Students Inc. (ASI), the Students for Quality Education, the African American Student Center, Campus Crusade for Christ, and the McNair Scholar Club.

But the campaign is fighting for more than the elimination of this policy.
 
“We are not fighting because the University is increasing fees; in fact we understand the necessity to do so due to California’s budgetary issues,” wrote ASI Vice President Chris Chen on the campaign's Facebook page. “We are fighting because we are sick and tired of the inconsideration and abuse that the university administration has shown towards students.”

The group has asked the administration for more student representation and more transparency in the University’s decision-making process.  And because the announcement of the new fees arrived on Feb. 4, weeks before spring quarter began, they also asked to be alerted more in advance when fee increases and other big changes take place.

“Drastic times call for drastic measures,” Chen said.  “The [administration] is trying to run the university as a business, but they need to include the students because all they are doing is cutting and cutting.”

Some of the campaign members have been criticized  because of their other involvements on campus.

One of the group’s most outspoken members, Richard Liu, is also the president of ASI. Some students and administration staff—even members of Liu’s own cabinet—have expressed their concern over his leading role in the group because of his top position. But Liu and the campaign have made clear that their work is not formally associated with ASI.

Still, Liu said he is representing the students and fighting for their interests as both a member of the campaign and as president. He does not expect to give up either position.

“When I ran for the ASI presidency last year, I promised the students I would fight for their interests,” he said.  “One year later, I can proudly say I have been fighting and will continue fighting for them.  No matter how much criticism comes, I will keep that promise.”


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