Hundreds Protest Fee Hikes at UCLA (Photo: Los Angeles Times / November 19, 2009)
LOS ANGELES -- Despite protests by hundreds of students at UCLA and on the streets of Westwood, the UC Board of Regents approved a 32 percent fee increase Thursday that will push UC tuition above $10,000 for the first time.
Tuition at the ten UC campuses will increase by $585 in the spring, then another $1,344 next fall.
Along with a $900 registration fee, the hikes will bring annual in-state UC tuition to $10,302, not including campus fees, housing and books.
The university system is currently facing a $535 million budget deficit, and UC officials say the increases are needed to close the gap.
"... This is our one best shot at preventing this recession from pulling down a great system toward mediocrity," said UC President Mark Yudof. "In the long term, that would not be good for the students of today or tomorrow. And it would be devastating for California as a whole."
The UC Regents also plan to ask for a $913 million increase in state funding for the next fiscal year.
Hundreds of students descended upon the Covel Commons and Campbell Hall areas while the regents held their meeting inside. A crowd gathered near the intersection of Wilshire and Veteran, where marching protesters were blocking traffic.
The demonstrators outside chanted, beat drums and waved signs urging "No fee hikes" and "Wanted: Leadership."
Campus police in helmets with face shields stood guard outside the conference building. UCLA officials said police from several UC campuses were brought in to control the crowd.
One student was arrested earlier in the day for allegedly obstructing a police officer, according to the university. The student was cited and released.
In a statement posted on the school's Web site Thursday, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said:
"As you likely know, the UC Regents are meeting on campus in Covel Commons. There were a number of protest demonstrations yesterday and they are continuing today. It's important for us to honor the right to protest, but we also must maintain an environment of civility, respect and safety on our campus.
"Currently, a number of students are conducting a sit-in in Campbell Hall, and classes there have been canceled. If you do not need to be in the vicinity of Campbell Hall or Covel Commons, please stay away."
The students demonstrating at Campbell Hall barricaded the doors with chains and bike locks.
UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton said no police action was taken against the group of students sitting in the lobby of Campbell Hall because they did not pose a threat.
At UC Davis, near Sacramento, at least 30 protesters were arrested for trespassing after they refused to leave the building.
On Wednesday, police arrested 14 protesters at UCLA who repeatedly interrupted the regents' Finance Committee meeting.
Hundreds of boisterous protesters then gathered outside, holding banners protesting the increase and shouting, "Cut from the top!"
The arrested protesters were booked for unlawful assembly, according to University police Sgt. John Gutierrez. They were expected to be cited and released.
The group refused to leave the meeting room, and when armed, uniformed officers approached them, they locked arms and sang the civil rights anthem, "We Shall Overcome."
Twelve of those arrested were students.
The university also reported that one student was injured in the crowd and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Student regent Jesse Bernal voted against the proposal, saying that while he understood the reality of the UC budget crisis, the financial burden should be more evenly split among staff furloughs, campus cutbacks and student fee increases.
Freshman enrollment may have to be cut if the additional funding is not approved.
Tuition at the ten UC campuses will increase by $585 in the spring, then another $1,344 next fall.
Along with a $900 registration fee, the hikes will bring annual in-state UC tuition to $10,302, not including campus fees, housing and books.
The university system is currently facing a $535 million budget deficit, and UC officials say the increases are needed to close the gap.
"... This is our one best shot at preventing this recession from pulling down a great system toward mediocrity," said UC President Mark Yudof. "In the long term, that would not be good for the students of today or tomorrow. And it would be devastating for California as a whole."
The UC Regents also plan to ask for a $913 million increase in state funding for the next fiscal year.
Hundreds of students descended upon the Covel Commons and Campbell Hall areas while the regents held their meeting inside. A crowd gathered near the intersection of Wilshire and Veteran, where marching protesters were blocking traffic.
The demonstrators outside chanted, beat drums and waved signs urging "No fee hikes" and "Wanted: Leadership."
Campus police in helmets with face shields stood guard outside the conference building. UCLA officials said police from several UC campuses were brought in to control the crowd.
One student was arrested earlier in the day for allegedly obstructing a police officer, according to the university. The student was cited and released.
In a statement posted on the school's Web site Thursday, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said:
"As you likely know, the UC Regents are meeting on campus in Covel Commons. There were a number of protest demonstrations yesterday and they are continuing today. It's important for us to honor the right to protest, but we also must maintain an environment of civility, respect and safety on our campus.
"Currently, a number of students are conducting a sit-in in Campbell Hall, and classes there have been canceled. If you do not need to be in the vicinity of Campbell Hall or Covel Commons, please stay away."
The students demonstrating at Campbell Hall barricaded the doors with chains and bike locks.
UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton said no police action was taken against the group of students sitting in the lobby of Campbell Hall because they did not pose a threat.
At UC Davis, near Sacramento, at least 30 protesters were arrested for trespassing after they refused to leave the building.
On Wednesday, police arrested 14 protesters at UCLA who repeatedly interrupted the regents' Finance Committee meeting.
Hundreds of boisterous protesters then gathered outside, holding banners protesting the increase and shouting, "Cut from the top!"
The arrested protesters were booked for unlawful assembly, according to University police Sgt. John Gutierrez. They were expected to be cited and released.
The group refused to leave the meeting room, and when armed, uniformed officers approached them, they locked arms and sang the civil rights anthem, "We Shall Overcome."
Twelve of those arrested were students.
The university also reported that one student was injured in the crowd and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Student regent Jesse Bernal voted against the proposal, saying that while he understood the reality of the UC budget crisis, the financial burden should be more evenly split among staff furloughs, campus cutbacks and student fee increases.
Freshman enrollment may have to be cut if the additional funding is not approved.
