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Students and their families tour UC Berkeley during Cal Day on Saturday, April 16, 2011 in...

THE UNIVERSITY of California released a summary of fall admissions last week, and the results were eye-popping: More than 18 percent of the 72,432 students offered admission were from other states or countries, up from 11.6 percent two years ago. UC Berkeley provides the starkest example: It offered admission to 2,461 more students from outside the state than in 2009, while making 1,881 fewer offers to California residents.

Many prospective students and their parents might wonder: Don't our taxes pay for this university? Shouldn't our kids get priority?

The answer to both questions: not anymore. And if California continues on its current path, families should get used to diminished opportunities for higher education.

In 1990-91, taxpayers contributed $16,430 per UC student, 78 percent of the cost of providing an education in inflation-adjusted dollars. Next year, in the best-case budget scenario, taxpayers' contribution will be just 42 percent of the cost -- $7,210. For the first time in UC's storied history, students will pay more in tuition and fees than the state contributes for their education.

In other words, don't blame the university. While it has seen its share of waste