A UC Student's Plea to the Legislature on Fee Increases and Cuts in Academic Preparation in Governor Schwarzenegger’s Revised Bu

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Shiebler , President
University of California Student Association

Since the Governor released his budget proposal in January, students have made it loud and clear that California's families cannot take another fee increase & cuts to Academic Preparation programs. UC students statewide have sent over 12,000 postcards to the legislature, lobbied in-district and at the Capitol, and testified at budget and education committee hearings. And just last week, students faxed over 3,000 letters and made nearly 400 calls to Sacramento.

However, Governor Schwarzenegger released his revisions to the 2007-2008 California State Budget with much disappointment to California’s hard working students and families. As in the January Budget Proposal, the Governor has once again turned his back on higher education by maintaining a 7-10% increase in fees and zero funding Academic Preparation Programs.

In addition, the Governor also indicates that this pattern of back-door taxation on students and families is likely to continue until 2011, bringing the total fee increases well over 100% from where they were just a few years ago. This is frustrating and it’s outrageous. The total cost of a UC education is already expensive and increasing fees another 7-10% is just unacceptable. In 2005, the total cost of a UC education for an incoming student was $20,474. Last year it increased by $678 and this year it will increase by an additional $1028.

UCSA does not accept the claims that there is no other option but to further increase the cost burden of a public higher education onto California’s working families. With a nearly $200 million dollar surplus in unexpected tax revenue, it is clear the Governor had the opportunity to be a champion for higher education, but he chose not to. Even the state Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended only a 2.4% fee increase which would more realistically tie fee increases to rates of inflation. Thus, we are even more disappointed in the Governor’s decision to increase fees and zero fund Academic Preparation programs because he clearly had options.