Fees spark outcry
John Hornberg
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
Some students seeking lower tuition are attacking the problem on two different fronts - in Sacramento and on the streets.
In response to increases that have doubled CSU tuition and dramatically increased UC tuition since 2002, an organization called Tuition Relief Now is working on both efforts, currently trying to qualify an initiative for the ballot and getting a bill passed in the California Legislature. The bill would freeze tuition at the higher education level.
The organization, according to its Web site, claims to be completely volunteer and student run.
The bill would freeze tuition in CSU and UC systems for the next five years, and would only increase at the same level as inflation, according to the organization's Web site. It would offset the loss of funds by levying a 1 percent tax on individuals with an income of $1 million or more, said Esther Alumba, director of student fee affairs for SJSU Associated Students.
A number of students liked the idea of what the initiative had to offer.
"None of us make a million dollars, and if we did, we wouldn't mind giving back for education," said Gisela Sandoval, a graduate student in social work .
"It's costing us a lot on the back end because people aren't educated," added Nicole Jordan, also a graduate student in social work and one of Sandoval's colleagues. "People open their eyes and change their philosophies by becoming educated."
President Kassing was not as enthusiastic as students were regarding the idea of a tuition freeze.
"I hope it wouldn't happen because it would just devastate (SJSU). It would be very, very harmful," he said at a news conference in March.
The current assembly bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Coto (D-San Jose), and it passed the Assembly's Higher Education Committee, said Chris Vaeth, the campaign director for Tuition Relief Now. The Legislature has looked at the issue of student tuition in the past, Vaeth added.
"Students have been frustrated that the Legislature won't pass a long-term fee solution," he said. "We want to give them another opportunity."
In response to increases that have doubled CSU tuition and dramatically increased UC tuition since 2002, an organization called Tuition Relief Now is working on both efforts, currently trying to qualify an initiative for the ballot and getting a bill passed in the California Legislature. The bill would freeze tuition at the higher education level.
The organization, according to its Web site, claims to be completely volunteer and student run.
The bill would freeze tuition in CSU and UC systems for the next five years, and would only increase at the same level as inflation, according to the organization's Web site. It would offset the loss of funds by levying a 1 percent tax on individuals with an income of $1 million or more, said Esther Alumba, director of student fee affairs for SJSU Associated Students.
A number of students liked the idea of what the initiative had to offer.
"None of us make a million dollars, and if we did, we wouldn't mind giving back for education," said Gisela Sandoval, a graduate student in social work .
"It's costing us a lot on the back end because people aren't educated," added Nicole Jordan, also a graduate student in social work and one of Sandoval's colleagues. "People open their eyes and change their philosophies by becoming educated."
President Kassing was not as enthusiastic as students were regarding the idea of a tuition freeze.
"I hope it wouldn't happen because it would just devastate (SJSU). It would be very, very harmful," he said at a news conference in March.
The current assembly bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Coto (D-San Jose), and it passed the Assembly's Higher Education Committee, said Chris Vaeth, the campaign director for Tuition Relief Now. The Legislature has looked at the issue of student tuition in the past, Vaeth added.
"Students have been frustrated that the Legislature won't pass a long-term fee solution," he said. "We want to give them another opportunity."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Artur
posted 4/02/08 @ 2:04 PM PST
Although I feel the great importance of spreading higher education in this country and allowing fair access to it, I don't think this bill will have a chance because there has to be a way to make revenue. (Continued…)
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