University of Calif. headed to 32% fee hike

President Mark Yudof told reporters Wednesday he couldn't rule out raising student fees again if the state is unable to meet his request for an additional US$913 million next year for the 10-campus system.

“I can't make any ... promises,” he said.

The university's governing board is expected to approve a plan Thursday that will boost undergraduate fees, the equivalent of tuition, by 32 percent in two stages by 2010. The proposal was met with student protests across the state Wednesday that led to 14 arrests at the University of California, Los Angeles, campus.

At the University of California, Berkeley, more than 1,000 demonstrators condemned the pending fee boost and high salaries for university administrators. Protesters carried mock gravestones to represent programs that have suffered under state budget cuts and waved signs reading “Save our university.” At the University of California, Santa Cruz, police blocked roads leading into the main entrance because of a demonstration.

After a series of deep cuts in state aid, and with Sacramento facing a nearly $21 billion budget gap over the next year and a half, Board of Regents members said there was no option to higher fees.

“When you have no choice, you have no choice,” Yudof said after a Regents' committee endorsed the fee plan. “I'm sorry.”

The Los Angeles meeting was repeatedly interrupted by outbursts from students and union members, who accused the board of turning its back on the next generation.

“We are bailing out the banks, we are bailing out Wall Street. Where is the bailout for public education?” asked UCLA graduate student Sonja Diaz.

University of California, Irvine, economics student Sarah Bana told the board,

“You are jeopardizing California's future.”

Police arrested 14 protesters after they refused to leave the meeting room. As officers approached them, the protesters locked arms and sang the civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome.” Others shouted “Shame on you.” Some cursed.

UCLA police spokeswoman Nancy Greenstein said a crowd as large as 500 outside the building tossed sticks, food and rags soaked in vinegar at police. A group that rushed the doors was turned back by police. Several police and two students suffered minor injuries, she said.

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