Hundreds of faculty, staff, students will be on hand when California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) hosts an "All-Campus Rally" to voice opposition to and educate others on expected budget cuts to the California State University (CSU) system budget. Already, CSULB plans to enroll 1,500 fewer students next fall as a result of anticipated cuts. Overall, the CSU system is expected to cut enrollment by 10,000. The CSULB rally will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, from noon to 1 p.m at the Speakers Platform in front of the University Bookstore. Cal State Long Beach is located at 1250 Bellflower Blvd. in Long Beach with easy access from the 405, 605 and 22 freeways. Presented by the "Alliance for the CSU" at CSULB, the rally will feature campus President F. King Alexander and others making the case for full funding of the CSU system's budget request for 2009-10. The event is a collaboration of Associated Students, Inc., California Faculty Association, staff unions, the Academic Senate and the CSULB Alumni Association. "In addition to speaking out against cuts to the CSU budget, we want to educate the university community about the seriousness of these issues and the value of higher education for the economic vitality of California," President Alexander explained. "For every dollar the State of California invests in the CSU system, we deliver more than $4 in return in economic activity. That is a huge payoff. Additionally, Cal State Long Beach and other CSU campuses graduate annually many of the state's most-needed professionals," the president continued. "The message we need to send to lawmakers and the governor is, 'CSU is the solution.'" Speakers at the rally are expected to encourage attendees to join a CSU-wide grassroots alliance to prevent the funding cuts from going through by contacting their state representatives and stressing the CSU's value to the local and state economy. ASI will also be distributing "Vote to Fund Our Future" postcards for student to fill out and drop off at the ASI office, which will deliver them to local 67th District Assemblymember Jim Silva. For more information on the All Campus Rally, contact Rick Gloady in the CSULB Public Affairs Office at 562/985-5454 or via e-mail at rgloady@csulb.edu.