The word "furlough" is being mentioned everywhere on campus, whether it be by your teachers, President Corrigan or friends around you. The California State University board of trustees designed these days to cut costs from the budget. This cost-cutting action was the board of trustees' response to the state-wide deficit and the budget slashing that followed. By doing so, our campus, along with 22 others, will shut down for a total of five days this semester, not including the additional days professors and lecturers are being forced to cut additional teaching days from their truncated schedule.

Though many students might view these days off as a break from stressful exams and looming deadlines, these days should not be looked at as something to celebrate.

In the spring of 2009, we were given 74 days of instruction and use of campus facilities. This fall, we will only have 69 days to learn all course material before finals. That means we have, at minimum, five fewer days to go to office hours, five fewer lectures to attend and five fewer chances to use the resources on campus, such as the library annexes, health center services and tutoring centers.

Don't forget that our student fees were raised not only once, but twice. In May of this year, the board of trustees voted for a 10 percent fee increase and an additional 20 percent fee increase later in July. You might even recall having to shell out hundreds of extra dollars in order to keep your classes this semester as a direct result of the 20 percent fee hike.

Let's look at the big picture: We are now paying 22 percent more for an education that we are getting 7 percent less of than last semester. Tuition is $4,827 up from $3,762. Does that seem fair? You be the judge.

So before you enjoy your first two furlough days during this Labor Day weekend, remember that we are paying more for something that we are getting a lot less of -- an education.