The undergraduate student government will hold a special meeting Wednesday to address proposed tuition increases and to confirm the logistics of the Nov. 18 divestment resolution meeting.
Internal Vice President Avinoam Baral is scheduled to release the meeting agenda by Sunday night. The meeting will take place Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Kerckhoff 417, after the regularly scheduled Tuesday meeting was canceled for Veteran’s Day.
Undergraduate Students Association Council President Devin Murphy called the meeting to address University of California President Janet Napolitano’s recent proposal that would allow the UC to increase tuition and fees by up to 5 percent for the next five years. The UC Board of Regents will vote on the potential policy change at their Nov. 18-20 meeting.
“I felt like it was important that we have a meeting prior to the (tuition) decision and that we respond to this immediately, Murphy said.
The proposed fee raise faces widespread disapproval from both students and state lawmakers, but has received support from University chancellors.
“It’s going to be an important space for USAC to get together and address the tuition increase,” Baral said.
The meeting will also serve to decide the process for the seventh week divestment meeting, which will include a vote on a resolution calling for the UC to divest from companies that some students say profit from the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Students for Justice in Palestine is bringing the resolution before the council.
On Tuesday, USAC decided to limit public comments to two hours and restrict access for the press and public at the controversial meeting.
“I’m very open to any suggestions from the public. Last week, we needed to develop a plan, but (arrangements for the divestment meeting) were brought up the day of, so there wasn’t space for public comment,” Murphy said.
Murphy said he hopes the additional meeting will give students an opportunity to speak directly with councilmembers about the meeting format.
Compiled by Jillian Frankel, Bruin contributor.