UC regents approve 32 percent tuition increase for the 2010-2011 school year
Last updated on Nov. 19
LA’s Westwood Street was home to hundreds of students protesting the 32 percent fee increase today. These students were bitterly disappointed when they found out that the fee hike passed.
With the advent of the new fees, the price of UC tuition will hit its highest ever at over $10,000 – not including room and board, textbooks, and campus fees. There is also an added $900 registration fee.
The fees are being implemented as a result of the $535 million state deficit. In the spring of 2010, all campuses will increase their tuition by $585 and $1,344 in the fall.
On Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. in UCLA, the UC regents committee discussed and approved a 32 percent fee hike. Tomorrow, the full board will review and vote on the proposal. Huge crowds of student protesters are expected at the final voting tomorrow, and there have been protests and petitions all day today at UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Santa Cruz, among others.
The fee hike entails the boosting of undergraduates’ fees by 15 percent for the coming semester and another 15 percent for the summer semesters. This would increase UC costs by approximately $10,000.
"My parents, next year, will have to take out loans," UC Santa Cruz freshman and MVHS class of 2009 alumna Devina Khanna said.
She expects to see a drastic decrease in ethnic diversity and higher dropout rates across campuses due to the fee hikes.
"[The fee increase] basically cuts diversity out of public education… [Many] minorities can’t afford it," Khanna said.
However, UC regent chairman Russel Gould has announced that Cal Grants, which are offered to 30 students statewide every year, will still be available for eligible students in need. The grants cover two years of undergraduate education.
The fee hikes are mostly due to the California budget cuts. Nevertheless, they bring the price of a UC education very close to that of a private school education.
"A lot of students would pick private over public [in light of the fee increases]," Khanna said. "If I applied again I’d probably apply private."
Khanna plans to attend tomorrow’s protest at UCLA.
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