Campus group organizes protest

UC Irvine faculty, students and staff plan to protest budget cuts to the state’s higher education institutions by staging a walkout today, the first day of school.

A daylong picket line will form at the flagpoles in Aldrich Park, at the campus’ center, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., in support of the University Professional and Technical Employees union.

An interactive drama will take place in the university’s Arts Plaza from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

From 9 a.m. to noon, classes throughout campus will hold teach-ins about the state budget situation.

At noon, the campus will rally at the flagpoles to hear speakers representing students, faculty and staff.

A rally in the Social Science Plaza will follow from 2 to 3 p.m.

Evening teach-ins will be in Humanities Gateway 1010 from 5 to 7 p.m.

For more details and updated schedules, visit the “Walkout at UC Irvine on Sept. 24, 2009” group on Facebook.

— Candice Baker