Cuts to education are all the buzz these days, both near and...far, far away.

Unfortunately for SF State students, and all students in this country's public university system, Europe's setting the trend and putting us to shame in the process.

As they take to the streets in (sometimes violent) protest of tuition reform such as fee hikes and academic cuts, we sit quietly as our financial choices are quietly and drastically made for us.

What happened to our fight? Our well organized and widespread March 4 Day of Action was impressive indeed, but where have the activists gone? Nothing has changed. If anything, conditions have greatly declined.

Sure, we have no more furlough days, but that 15 percent fee increase is just around the corner. Current college students and high school seniors should be desperate and worried.

We should be ashamed of our lack of solidarity and the total disconnect among age groups. U.K. teens as young as 14 have joined the sides of their college elders to support them and fight for the future of education. Because, unlike American teens, they appear to be thinking ahead.

In Italy, student protesters are amassing in numbers not seen in decades. Roman railways have been closed as students lay themselves on the tracks in protest of proposed reforms.

In London, students of all ages marched and organized sit-ins at universities and government offices.

Right on! Sure, we marched on Sacramento, but how many of you actually went? Or would even consider making the trip? Well, if you didn't go, there's always next time.

Or is there? Although the CSU's approved fee hike goes into effect early next year, overall student awareness seems pretty apathetic.

A violent standoff in Trafalgar Square didn't leave any dead or wounded (as it may have here) but instead served as an example of actual freedom. A freedom that we can only dream of.

So fellow youngins, let's learn by example. The Brits are doin' it, and the Romans too, so why do we stand and wait for our educational dreams to be crushed? It's time to get up and stand up for our academic rights!

We deserve an education and if our government doesn't see this as vital, we must make them see.

It's time to be active and take initiative for what we have, before we're left with nothing.