California College Students Protest Tuition Rate Hikes

The Sacramento Bee reported the planned California college student protest at the state capitol went off without a hitch. An estimated 10,000 attendees registered their support for "making government properly fund higher education."

What was the schedule for the protest?

Under the heading of "Fund our Future," event organizers set a three-hour window for attendees to meet at Southside Park in Sacramento. The California State Student Association explained the march from the park to the capitol would take place at 10 a.m. A rally on the west steps was to close the event by noon.

Why did students protest?

While covering the protest rally, KABC-TV interviewed students from the Cal State, California Community College and University of California systems. Government cuts to higher education, termed by protesters as "disinvestment in education," and the decreased availability of classes and services -- albeit with a higher price tag -- are some of the complaints the students voiced.

What is the background to the protests?

On Feb. 2, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom took a position that is at strong odds with Gov. Jerry Brown. The Daily Californian reported Newsom, who has seats on the California State University Board of Trustees and the UC Board of Regents, referred to Brown's new higher education budget policies as "galling" and "shortsighted." The governor, in an effort to close the Golden State's budget shortfall, proposed to make it more difficult for students to obtain Cal Grants, while doing away with two loan programs. Cuts in funding to the schools led administrators to increase tuition amounts.

Will the lieutenant governor spearhead the opposition to the budget?

Although Newsom was vociferous in his opposition to the budget cuts and also was scheduled to address the students, he has failed to identify alternative funding solutions. Initially, Newsom founded a working group in September but after one unproductive meeting, he did not address the California legislature in November as promised.

How expensive is tuition?

Cal State Fullerton released its tuition fee summary from 2002 to 2011. Whereas the undergraduate semester in 2002 called for $1,572, students in 2011 had to pay $5,472 for 6.1 or more units of an undergraduate program per academic year. Break it down by semester, and the cost is $2,736. California Community Colleges charge $36 per unit, with the average course having three or four units. Per semester, a community college student could expect to pay $432.

Sylvia Cochran is a Los Angeles area resident with a firm finger on the pulse of California politics. Talk radio junkie, community volunteer and politically independent, she scrutinizes the good and the bad from both sides of the political aisle.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/california-college-students-protest-tuition-rate-hikes-002200735.html

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