No relief for CSU students: higher fees coming
California State University fees are about to increase again. On Friday, CSU trustees will decide whether it’s 10 percent or only 5 percent now with the possibility of at least another 5 percent in November.
False optimism may steer trustees toward the easier-to-swallow 5 percent increase. But prudence calls for 10 percent, however upsetting that will be for students and their families. And many will be angry.
The 23-campus system has been reeling as a result of budget cuts of $625 million – 21 percent – over the past three years. Despite a 32 percent increase in fees, course sections have been eliminated, class sizes expanded, and faculty members were forced to take 18 furlough days.
Without a 10 percent fee increase now, there will be more of the same – or worse next year.
Gov. Schwarzenegger is proposing to restore $305 million, but his overall budget assumes the 10 percent CSU fee increase, no other taxes and painful cuts to social services. The Senate budget plan assumes the 10 percent fee increase and higher taxes without naming them.
That leaves the Assembly Democrats’ budget plan, which would match a 5 percent fee increase with additional state money. That’s appealing, but dicey. First, it’s
False optimism may steer trustees toward the easier-to-swallow 5 percent increase. But prudence calls for 10 percent, however upsetting that will be for students and their families. And many will be angry.
The 23-campus system has been reeling as a result of budget cuts of $625 million – 21 percent – over the past three years. Despite a 32 percent increase in fees, course sections have been eliminated, class sizes expanded, and faculty members were forced to take 18 furlough days.
Without a 10 percent fee increase now, there will be more of the same – or worse next year.
Gov. Schwarzenegger is proposing to restore $305 million, but his overall budget assumes the 10 percent CSU fee increase, no other taxes and painful cuts to social services. The Senate budget plan assumes the 10 percent fee increase and higher taxes without naming them.
That leaves the Assembly Democrats’ budget plan, which would match a 5 percent fee increase with additional state money. That’s appealing, but dicey. First, it’s