The Progressive Student Alliance and the United Campus Workers (Communications Workers of America, local chapter 3865) organized a gathering in October 2008, “Tell Nashville to Stop the Cuts,” on the pedestrian mall. Several hundred students, faculty, and staff gathered. The gathering followed the October requirement that UT sustain an additional $6 million cut in funding for the year ending June 30, 2009. Students were especially concerned by Interim Chancellor Jan Simek’s announcement that some of the cuts would involve decreased travel and field opportunities for students and cancellation of some upper-division classes. Students attempting to register for spring semester classes had difficulty getting advising appointments, and the late advising translated into no seats available in classes they needed.