University of California and California State University schools have temporarily stalled tuition increases.
After Proposition 30 passed on the Nov. 6 ballot, Jerry Brown suggested tuition hikes at the two public university systems is inopportune one week after voters approved a statewide tax increase for education’s benefit.
Prop 30 temporarily increases personal income taxes on those with incomes over $250,000 per year and increases sales tax by a quarter-cent for four years. The temporary tax revenue is then allocated to K-12 and community colleges.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “California State University trustees postponed action Tuesday, [Nov. 13], on a plan to impose new student fees and University of California regents also agreed to shelve a proposal to add supplemental fees to some professional degree programs.”
Without the proposition, UC students were looking at a possible 20 percent mid-year tuition hike and CSU students were facing a $249 per-semester tuition hike. Cal State’s extra fees, implemented Fall 2012, were designed to urge students to graduate more quickly, making room for new students. CSU students will be receiving a refund of the extra $249 for classes they paid this fall.
The Daily Californian editorialized on the issue.
They wrote, “When voters approved Prop. 30, they made it clear that they value investment in education. Now, the university and the state must figure out how they can best deliver on that investment.”
From the LA Times, Governor Jerry Brown said, “Right after the election is no time to be raising fees of any kind. Voters gave us a billion dollars in new revenues and now we have to use that very judiciously.”
The Californian wrote, “UC officials have said that Prop. 30 will give them the flexibility to begin negotiating a multiyear funding plan with Sacramento under which the university would begin to receive gradual increases in state funding”
On Nov. 14, the two public university governing boards approved budgets requesting increases in state funding to heighten enrollment and sustain other programs.
