UC San Diego students will hold a candlelight vigil this evening to protest the 32 percent fee hike approved by the University of California's Board of Regents yesterday.
Student activists are also wearing black today to symbolize what they call ‘the death of higher public education.’ The UC Board of Regents overwhelmingly approved a 32 percent fee increase yesterday that will take effect over the course of next year.
Roughly 150 UCSD students chartered buses to join the protest outside the regents meeting yesterday at UCLA. UCSD's associated students president Utsav Gupta was one of dozens student speakers who urged the regents to vote against the increases.
“This was the first time where I really felt like this concern with fee hikes had generated a movement,” Gupta said. “It was incredible thing to be a part of. I bet it doesn't compare to the ‘60s, but it sure felt like a part of the ‘60s was there for a moment.”
Gupta says he and other student leaders are now working to form a student coalition for higher education in San Diego County to foster more political activism.
