In hopes of limiting additional student fee increases,
University of California students have recently taken their voices
to Sacramento and have been pressuring the state legislature to
bring the UC system’s funding back to sufficient levels. But
some students worry their concerns are not being heard.
Student activism has been directed at the legislature because of
the effects the state budget will have on the UC system. Although
the UC Board of Regents have the authority to set student fees, the
need for fee increases can be negated if state lawmakers commit
adequate funding to the UC.
Still, despite some student lobbying, fee increase proposals
persist. Earlier this month, UC President Richard Atkinson called
for a possible 25-percent increase, which would raise student fees
to $4,794 per year.
Atkinson’s proposal is in response to suggested cuts to
the UC budget. The state has already approved a $300 million cut to
the UC, and the state Assembly and Senate have both proposed an
additional $80.5 million reduction.
Alex Arteaga, a lobbyist for the UC Students Association, said
his organization, in conjunction with the UC Office of the
President, has been providing the legislature with information
stating that a 25-percent fee increase could cause some students to
drop out of school.
Arteaga said talking to politicians informs them of their
constituents’ interests and needs, in this case ““
students.
Earlier this year, hundreds of students traveled to Sacramento
for a lobby day, where students got to meet with assemblymembers
and senators.
But some students worry that their efforts are in vain.
“It seems to no avail that our fees will continue to be
raised,” said Liz Burrell, a third-year student at UC Davis
and vice chair for the UCSA legislative committee.
A fee increase will likely result if the state budget is
approved without also approving a tax increase.
Currently, the state budget is at an impasse, as Republicans
continue to oppose any proposal including a tax increase, and
Democrats maintain the need for an additional influx of funds to
the state via tax hikes, without further cutting social program
funding.
Sen. Dede Alpert (D-San Diego) said that in light of the budget
chess game, a fee increase is something students and parents will
have to accept if they wish to maintain the quality of the
university.
Despite the budget deficit’s enormity ““ currently
estimated at $38.2 billion ““ one reason higher education may
face deeper cuts is because many college students do a poor job of
keeping their representatives accountable by not voting. College
students have the worst voter turnout of any age bracket.
State Assemblyman and UCLA alumnus Darrell Steinberg
(D-Sacramento) said the student voice is not heard enough.
“With all these older adults making decisions affecting
younger people, younger people should be constantly involved here
at the state capital,” he said.
In addition, Alpert said students should talk to their
representatives at their local offices.