Students oppose UC tuition hikes. Leaders say campuses need money in the Trump era

"University of California regents - facing an uncertain financial outlook amid Trump administration cuts, a significant reduction in state funding and growing inflation - will vote this week on whether to increase tuition and put aside a smaller portion of that money for financial aid. The highly anticipated vote on Wednesday has generated intense opposition from students. Student government leaders from all nine undergraduate campuses plan to protest outside the regents' meeting at UCLA to oppose the hikes and intend to make a long-shot plea for no increases."

""Rally against the UC! Stop tuition hikes. Debt is not a rite of passage," reads a social media post from the UC Student Assn., which represents 236,000 undergraduates from Davis to San Diego. UC leaders say the proposal renews an existing policy assuring " tuition stability " for entering students, locking in their tuition rate for up to six years of study while generating enough money to sustain the system during financially unstable times. Supporters say the policy benefits cash-strapped students, ensures continued financial aid and allows parents to plan long term for education costs."

University of California regents will vote on increasing tuition and lowering the portion of increases reserved for financial aid amid federal cuts, reduced state funding and rising inflation. Student government leaders from all nine undergraduate campuses plan coordinated protests at UCLA opposing the hikes. The proposal would renew a tuition-stability policy that locks entering students’ tuition for up to six years while generating revenue to sustain the system. UC has requested a $130 million zero-interest loan from California to cover lost state funds. Instructional spending per student has declined versus 20 years ago, student-to-faculty ratios have worsened, and deferred maintenance and salary goals remain unmet.

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