SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) -- New University of California President Janet Napolitano says she will work to keep tuition costs from rising beyond the reach of families.
The former Homeland Security chief spoke Friday at the University of California-Santa Cruz as part of her system-wide tour of campuses.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports that Napolitano also met with student leaders who questioned her about rising costs and undocumented students.
UC tuition has tripled in the past decade. Napolitano said university officials are working to "make sure it remains affordable."
Napolitano joined the system on Sept. 30 as the UC system's 20th president. Her selection was seen as an effort to enhance the system's influence in Sacramento and Washington DC.
Her tour has been hit with protests by students mostly railing against rising costs.
