Higher education tuitions rise as students struggle

Nanette Miranda
ABC 7 News
Nov 21, 2007

Nov. 21, 2007 (KGO) - Cal State Senior Valencia Henley works two jobs and can barely afford the annual tuition increases.

"It's killing me," says Valencia.

In the last five years, CSU and UC fees have nearly doubled.

"I can't afford books now. I have to do my homework in the bookstore. Not the library, but the bookstore."

CSU and UC students are revolting, gearing up to gather signatures for a ballot initiative to freeze tuition fees for five years and place a one-percent tax on millionaires.

Community college students already have a proposal on the February ballot called Proposition 92, which would reduce tuition from $20 a unit to $15 and guarantee those campuses a certain amount of funding.

However, these college students may be in for a very real civics lesson. The opposition to Proposition 92 grows bigger every day.

They all support community colleges, but lower tuition would force lawmakers to take money from other parts of the state budget to make up the lost revenue.

"That is a zero gain. That means less money for other aspects of higher education," says Professor Kevin Wehr, Ph.D., California Faculty Association.

v "We already have a $10 billion shortfall. This will make it worse," says David Kline, CA Taxpayers Association.

Chances are the same opponents will also line up against a UC/CSU tuition freeze, which puzzles college students.

"When you invest in higher education, you see more workers. You see more efficiency, and everyone benefits," says Christina Romero, Student Body President.

Valencia hopes the student-led battles to stabilize tuition are successful because she wants to get a second degree.

"I know that I need help and thousands of students need help," says Valencia.

Copyright 2007, ABC7/KGO-TV/DT.

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