University of Calif. approves big fee hikes

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The governing board of the University of California approved a $2,500 student fee increase Thursday after two days of tense campus protests across the state.

The 32 percent increase will push the cost of an undergraduate education at California's premier public schools to over $10,000 a year by next fall, about triple the cost of a decade ago. The fees, the equivalent of tuition, do not include the cost of housing, board and books.

The vote by the Board of Regents in a windowless University of California, Los Angeles, meeting room took place as the drone of protesters could be heard from a plaza outside.

For a second day the room was closed to visitors, after the meeting was repeatedly disrupted by demonstrators' outbursts.

Hundreds of students and union members gathered at the arched doorways of the building, waving signs, pounding drums and chanting "We're fired up, can't take it no more" and "Shame on you."

Armed police in riot gear lined up behind steel barricades, watching over scores of protests. Some police carried beanbag-firing shotguns. Authorities said there was one arrest.

Board members pointed out that students from households with incomes below $70,000 would be shielded from the fee increase, and financial aid would help others defray the higher cost. But that did little to ease the mood on campus, where some students wondered if they could afford the jump or qualify for more borrowing.

Ayanna Moody, a second-year prelaw student, said she feared she might have to attend a community college next year.

"I worked so hard to be at one of the most prestigious universities. To have to go back, it's very depressing," she said. Administrators "already cut out a lot of our majors and programs. I'd rather they cut some of their salaries."

UCLA graduate student Matthew Luckett agreed: "They should cut from the top," he said, referring to administration salaries.

About 30 to 50 protesters staged a takeover of Campbell Hall, a building across campus that houses ethnic studies. They chained the doors shut and there were no immediate plans to remove them.

On Wednesday, 14 demonstrators were arrested at UCLA and demonstrations spread to other campuses.

UC President Mark Yudof told reporters Wednesday he couldn't rule out raising student fees again if the state is unable to meet his request for an additional $913 million next year for the 10-campus system.

"I can't make any ... promises," he said.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)