From the statements given by state lawmakers Monday at a student march at the Capitol building, it looks like it is going to be a very long summer. Better get those summer session classes while they’re left.

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata vowed that the fight to find funding to close the state’s $14 billion budget gap could very well last until the fall semester begins. Meanwhile, we wait.

The uncertainty of the state’s budget has administrators on this campus on the edge of their seats. The fall schedule, which was delayed a few weeks because of the budget’s uncertainty, is out.

Proposals from the state Legislative Analyst’s Office has suggested that the California State University system will again increase fees by 10 percent, and may have to reduce enrollment growth from 2.5 percent to 1.8 percent as part of the effort to reduce total funding for the 23-campus system to $246.6 million.

The LAO also suggests moving the revenue generated from fee increases, approximately $108.7 million, to the General Fund.

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi said he is behind students 100 percent, and called for tax increases as the only viable option to close the budget gap.

The message from the Democratic lawmakers who attended the student rally was clear: contact our Republican colleagues and convince them to vote in favor of raising taxes.

At this point, it seems the only option students have to ensure access to classes and services is to spend the summer writing to the lawmakers who haven’t come forward in support of college students.

The move may make sure that the individuals who have come forward are kept accountable when it heats up this summer.

The students in this state make up a good portion of the voting population.

With campuses spread out across this state, there are students in every community of California.

It is time to remind the individuals with the votes—Republican and Democrat—that students are not only a good portion of today’s votes, but tomorrow’s as well.