Faculty, staff and students at three San Mateo community colleges began a teach-in yesterday to protest budget cuts and new restrictions on student services.

The three campuses of the San Mateo Community College District — Cañada College, Skyline College and College of San Mateo — planned courses and events for Wednesday and Thursday that focus on the impact of financial cutbacks in the district, including film screenings, campus flyering, and lectures on student activism and education privatization.

A statement from organizers names several changes facing campus opposition, including cuts to library and counseling staff, faculty and staff layoffs, and a 30-percent increase in student fees.

Organizers said the teach-in would also serve as a starting point for a statewide Strike and Day of Action beginning March 4.