CSUN University News Clippings

Editorial: College fees should be fair and stable

(July 30, 2009)

California’s public colleges and universities face substantial cuts from the recent budget fix, even though they’ve barely recovered from the cuts of 2003-04. Students can expect to see enrollment limits, larger classes, reduced offerings and increased fees.

The problem in California is not that fees are high (they remain low by national standards); the problem is that increases have been rapid and unpredictable – and have come during economic downturns.

The state needs to end this roller coaster of fee increases, which makes it difficult for students to plan for college. Now is a good time to revive the approach championed by state Sen. Carol Liu, D-La Cañada-Flintridge: Set a statewide policy on fees.

Here is how it would work:

• Set the student share of the cost of a public college education: 40 percent at the University of California and 30 percent at the California State University. Currently, students cover 31 percent of the cost of a UC education, 25 percent at CSU and 10 percent at California community colleges.

• Changes in student fees should be “gradual, moderate, and predictable,” not to exceed 8 percent in any year.

• Provide financial aid to offset fee increases for needy students.

The idea of “low fees for everyone” is not as equitable as it sounds. It means the poor subsidize higher education for the children of the wealthy.

Instead, these changes would tap more federal money for financial aid and renew California’s commitment to keep public colleges affordable.

Publication: Sacramento Bee