Wednesday, UAlbany administrators boasted a plan to better the university's future. Thursday, students shout back. Change is necessary they say, but money has to be part of the discussion, too. Our Erin Vannella reports.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- "Right now, they're giving themselves 4.0 flying colors for failing. It's not fair," said UAlbany doctoral candidate James Searle.

UAlbany students argue against the status quo. Their quality of education will suffer, they say, if some fiscal sacrifices can't be made at the top.

"We basically want the university and the administration here to go back on their decision to cut the five departments, French, Italian, theater and the classics, and to support the academic mission of this university," said UAlbany doctoral candidate Jackie Hayes.

In a walk-out Thursday afternoon, hundreds of students united behind change. Cut high salaries, said some, whatever it takes to prevent a tuition hike and class cuts.

"It seems to me if you work for a public institution part of your job is to support that institution with your work, and if need be by deferring some of your payment to support the budget gaps," said Searle.

"I have about $60,000 worth of debt, which means that when I get out, I'll still be paying $400 a month for the next 10 to 25 years," said Hayes. "I took out that money to afford a public education. I think that's completely unacceptable."

University at Albany President, George Philip says the school shares students' concerns but offers no consolation prize.

"We appreciate their commitment to preserving access to a quality public higher education and their desire to move the University forward in a positive direction," said Philip.

So students will resort to a march next week, starting on the capitol steps to footprint their message instead.

"A lot people who are supposed to be protecting us aren't doing that," said Searle. "So unless we turn a little wolfish on them, they'll just eat the sheep."