Concerns are being expressed by both higher ed systems about the proposed budget. CSU has already enacted a tuition increase which it would have to undo. UC has not made a tuition decision but doesn't like its hands tied in principle. In theory, both systems set tuition independently of the legislature with UC having constitutional authority. On the other hand, the legislature is not literally setting tuition but is trying to make an offer the systems can't refuse.
From the LA Times this morning:
Lawmakers and the governor have no authority over tuition. The deal represents a bold attempt to use the state budget in their ongoing effort to force the University of California and California State University systems to keep the price of higher education in check... The Cal State Board of Trustees has raised tuition 9.1% for the fall. Officials said that rescinding the increase may not be feasible. "We haven't actually seen the final budget language, but if it's as described, we're being asked to do the impossible here," said Cal State spokeswoman Claudia Keith. "We passed a tuition increase that goes into effect this fall. We've already collected that money from our continuing students."
University of California officials, too, raised concerns. UC spokeswoman Dianne Klein said the system may not be able to afford to hold off on a tuition increase on the promise that it would get money in the future. The UC Board of Regents had discussed the possibility of avoiding a 6% tuition increase if an additional $125 million were available in the budget year that starts Monday. But because the money would not be available until the next budget year, "there's still a hole that we have to fill," Klein said...
Full story at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-state-budget-20120626,0,1925801.story
It seems unlikely, despite the concerns, that we are going to refuse to go along:
Bad news for UC, one would think, since presumably the UC planners would have been hoping for increased tuition revenue as well as more funding from the State if Gov. Brown's tax proposal passes.
ReplyDeleteUC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau ($450,000 salary), Provost Breslauer ($306,000 salary) pick the pockets of California students and their parents clean. Birgeneau’s, Provost’s tuition increases make Cal. the most expensive (on all-in-cost) public USA university. Cal. is more expensive than #1 ranked Harvard. Birgeneau’s, Breslauer’s outrageous annual tuition increases are an insult to Californians, who help support UC and students confronting soaring costs.
ReplyDeleteRobert J Birgeneau and his Provost have forgotten they are public servants, stewards of the public money, not overseer of their own fiefdom. Pay ex-politician $300,000 for several lectures; Recruit affluent foreign & affluent out of state students who then displace qualified instate applicants; Spend $7,000,000 + (prominent East Coast university accomplishing same at 0 cost) for OE consultants to remove Chancellor, Provost created inefficiencies and prevent OE from examining Chancellor, Provost operations.
Wasteful Chancellor Birgeneau resigned. Sack ineffectual Provost George Breslauer.
Email opinion to marsha.kelman@ucop.edu and Calif. State Senators and Assembly Members (The author has 35 years’ consulting, has taught at Cal. where he observed the culture & ways of senior management & was not fired)