The governing board of the University of California approved a $2,500 student fee increase Thursday after two days of tense campus protests across the state.
The 32 percent increase will push the cost of an undergraduate education at some California schools to over $10,000 a year. The fees, the equivalent of tuition, do not include the cost of housing, board and books.
The vote took place as the drone of protesters could be heard from a plaza outside.
Armed police in riot gear lined up behind steel barricades, watching over scores of protests. Some police carried beanbag-firing shotguns. Authorities said there was one arrest.
Board members pointed out that students from households with incomes below $70,000 would be shielded from the fee increase, and financial aid would help others defray the higher cost. Ayanna Moody, a second-year prelaw student, said she feared she might have to attend a community college next year.
About 30 to 50 protesters staged a takeover of Campbell Hall, a building across campus that houses ethnic studies. They chained the doors shut and there were no immediate plans to remove them.
On Wednesday, 14 demonstrators were arrested at UCLA and demonstrations spread to other campuses.
UC 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 $913 million next year for the 10-campus system.
“I can’t make any promises,” he said.
Be the first to comment on this article!