Protestors made their voices heard at Lansing Community College Monday night.
LCC faculty and students picketed outside the Administration Building Monday evening. The group says the college has its priorities out of line.
Protestors say the college isn't putting students first. Armed with signs, dozens of LCC teachers and faculty took to the streets in protest. Most are angry about still not having a contract after more than a year.
"It's frustrating, I mean, we understand there are difficult times right now but we feel like we've already sacrificed quite a bit," said Sally Pierce, LCC teacher.
While they say they've been sacrificing, LCC has made an offer to buy Oliver Towers for $2.5 million while at the same time, cutting programs for students.
"If you have money and surplus to be discussing outside ventures or acquisitions, why wouldn't you have money to take care of the people that are serving your customer, the students," said Kevin Karpinski with the Michigan Education Association.
They are wondering why the school doesn't have the money to settle contracts.
"Where's that money? I mean, it doesn't make any sense," said Bill Ceaser, LCC faculty member.
Larry Meyer, the chair of the LCC Board of Trustees says Oliver Towers is about keeping the college competitive.
"We want to be able to scale, we want to be able to grow and fit the needs of a changing educational community. We can't stand still," said Meyer.
Meyer says contracts take time and argues the college is only doing what's best for students.
"We're all focused on student success, what's best for our students, what's best for our staff, what's best for our faculty. It's all about success, but focusing on the student," said Meyer.
Those protesting argue, what's best for students, is teachers in the classroom with a contract.
Many protestors also voiced concerns about cuts to programs like hospitality, culinary arts and horticulture.
