The University of California Board of Regents and Governor Brown are at odds over a possible hike in tuition. A plan to raise UC tuition 5 percent a year for four years goes before the board at its Nov. 19 meeting.
If implemented, freshmen at UC schools could begin their college career paying $12,192 per year and end it paying $14,819 in tuition. Since 2000 tuition has gone up nearly more than three-fold.
Governor Brown’s budget increased UC funding by 5 percent last year, 5 percent this year and 4 percent each of the following two years. But University of California Executive Vice President Nathan Bronstrom said it's not enough
"The general fund increased at roughly double the amount that higher education is increasing," Bronstrom said. "So it’s a little bit incredulous to say that this is a promise for higher education."
H.D. Palmer, deputy director of the State Department of Finance, said Governor Brown is opposed to any tuition increase. Palmer made it clear that "increased funding for UC schools in the governor's budget is contingent upon tuition remaining flat."
Higher education author and consultant Lynn O'Shaughnessy said parents and students need to look out of state for the best university deal.
"Get the heck out of California. That's what I tell people. Get out!" O’Shaughnessy said, "I mean why just limit yourself to the California schools?"
