Twelve students spread across six California State University campuses who are engaged in a controversial and dangerous hunger strike may be little more than pawns in a dispute between CSU and the faculty union.

The strikers are members of Students for Quality Education, a group composed of paid interns for the California Faculty Association—the very union currently in negotiations with CSU. This has raised concerns among administrators.

“The faculty union says that they did not encourage this action,” said CSU spokesperson Erik Fallis. “I hope for the sake of their moral integrity that that is true.”

Both the CFA and CSU have stated that their chief concern as the strike continues is for the safety of the students involved. The strikers are refusing all solid foods, drinking only water and vegetable juice. At least one student, Raiza Arias of CSUN, has already required medical attention. She is continuing the hunger strike against the advice of doctors. The protestors are also risking their academic success, as the lack of food could potentially hinder their class performance.

The CFA insists that the students decided to engage in their protest independently, but concedes that their demands are similar. The strikers are seeking a five-year moratorium on tuition hikes and a reversal of pay increases to university executives. The union demands include a salary increase for faculty, but they also oppose a pay hike for executives.

“In many ways, our interests are intertwined,” said Brian Ferguson, a spokesperson for the CFA. “We are well aware of the obstacles they face because we face them as well from an administration that refuses to negotiate.” He also admitted that the strikers have been supportive of the union in their ongoing discussions with CSU.

Fallis thinks there is a reason for this support. “Clearly, the students who are paid interns of the CFA are very supportive of the CFA,” he said. “I believe the faculty union has been very blatant in manipulating certain groups of students.”

The students have vowed to strike until their demands are met. Though the union has not endorsed their protest, they are clearly on the side of the strikers.

“We absolutely would hope that the chancellor would come to his senses and talk to these students and put some thought into their demands,” said Ferguson. “I think they would be wise to at least talk with these folks and see what they have to say.”

Fallis said that the chancellor has already met with students and explained that their demands are misguided. The alleged pay increase for university presidents would only apply to newly hired executives. Current presidents have been subject to a pay freeze since 2007, and there are no plans for that to change; nor are there immediate plans to raise tuition fees.

While the CSU system cannot force students to end the hunger strike, administrators are hopeful that students will find a less dangerous way to protest.

“We strongly encourage any CSU employee who is an advisor or financial supporter of these students to encourage the students to exercise their voice,” said Fallis, “but to do so in a way that doesn’t put them at academic or health risk.”