UC proposing 32 percent fee hike- Stay Informed Everyone!

September 10th, 2009 | by Senator Christopher Franco |

This Article is from the Contra Costa Times

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“The University of California may raise student fees 32 percent by next fall, boosting annual undergraduate tuition over the $10,000 level for the first time ever.

UC regents next week will discuss the phased increases, which for most students would include a 7.5 percent hike for the upcoming spring term and then a sharper increase for the fall 2010 term. The decision, which would bring UC tuition to $10,302, would cost undergraduates an additional $2,500 per year.

Most graduate students also would pay about 32 percent more in fall 2010.

The board also will consider for the first time the possibility of charging more for undergraduate business and engineering students, much as it does for graduate students in those fields. Undergraduates in those departments would pay up to $1,000 more than other students.

A student leader called the fee increases “staggering.”

“It’s really coming out of left field,” said Victor Sanchez, president of the UC Students Association and a UC Santa Cruz undergraduate. “What you’re going to see is an astronomical drop in the number of students able to attend.”

Regents also will consider reducing enrollment by 2,300 for a second straight year, and possibly for several years thereafter. And the university warned that the state may not be able to raise the maximum Cal Grant to cover the midyear fee hikes.

UC leaders have long predicted a midyear fee hike this year and an additional increase for
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next fall. With hundreds of millions of dollars cut from state funding, raising fees is the university’s only choice, leaders said.

The 10-campus university is laying off nearly 1,900 employees.

“Obviously a fee increase would be painful for students, we understand that,” UC spokesman Ricardo Vazquez said. “But the kind of quality that students expect is being threatened.”

California State University trustees, also facing severe cuts, raised fees 32 percent this year. The UC board is scheduled to vote on its proposal in November.”

By Matt Krupnick

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-Senator Franco

Last 5 posts by Senator Christopher Franco

  1. 4 Responses to “UC proposing 32 percent fee hike- Stay Informed Everyone!”

  2. By J Westerling on Sep 25, 2009 | Reply

    Christopher,

    Will you please contact me ASAP regarding an interview with Dr. Bill Wattenburg (UC alum and retired prof) on his ABC Radio show regarding the UC hike? He would like to support and speak with the students on air. Thanks - J

  3. By Christopher on Sep 27, 2009 | Reply

    Hello J Westerling,

    I apologize for the time gap in responding to your post- unfortunately I don’t get status updates when someone comments on my posts.

    However, if the offer still stands, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to participate in the interview if the offer still stands.

    Please email me at franco@asuc.org and I will respond ASAP.

    Best,

    Franco

  4. By J WESTERLING on Sep 28, 2009 | Reply

    Christopher,

    Thanks for your reply. Sorry we weren’t able to coordinate your involvement in time for the hour-long discussion on UC funding on KGO radio.

    I am glad to report that our audience was treated to a lively discussion in support of returning much needed funding to the UC system.

    We were able to coordinate students Marika Goodrich and Philippe Marchand as guests on the program. Unfortunately Phillippe’s cell phone connection was poor, and eventually was lost.

    In his trademark fashion, Dr Bill talked with Marika as she shared the student’s plans for tackling with the Regents. He also presented his suggestion (having taken part in several protests over the years as a US student and professor) for achieving real success in the tuition fight.

    I encourage students and faculty to listen to the hour in the archive section of the kgoradio.com website and enjoy the discussion. (10:00pm hour - 9/27)

    Anyone wishing to share their thoughts in this discussion in the future are encouraged to call into the Open Line to the West Coast program on KGO radio Sat & Sun nights beginning at 10pm.

    Kind regards and best wishes - J

  5. By Dietroly on Nov 20, 2009 | Reply

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