Students storm UCLA building to protest expected UC system fee increase [Updated]

About 30 students stormed UCLA’s Campbell Hall and barricaded the doors with chains and bike locks early this morning to protest a student fee increase that is expected to be endorsed by the University of California’s Board of Regents today.

[Updated at 8:39 a.m.: The UC Regents have started to meet, and hundreds of students have surrounded the building, protesting the proposed fee hike.]

Students who spent the night were sprawled outside Campbell Hall in sleeping bags. They carried posters and signs that read, “Don’t take our education away” and “Don’t privatize, democratize.” Many wore bandannas over their faces.

Dozens of other students spent the night camped out in tents on top of Parking Structure 4. Hundreds of other students are expected to join the protesters and demonstrate at the UC Regents meeting that will take place later today.

The proposed two-step student fee increase would raise UC undergraduate education costs more than $2,500, or 32%.The annual cost of a UC education, not including campus-based fees would rise to $10,302.

Kyle Tramberly, a junior at UC San Diego, said he did not sleep since arriving at UCLA late Wednesday night.

“I’m here in solidarity with people across the state of California that are being subjugated to these outrageous fee increases,” he said. “I can’t afford the fee increases, personally. I have to take out private loans in order to cover this. It’s completely unjust to put the burden on students.”

A key committee of the UC Regents backed the two-step hike Wednesday, despite appeals from students who urged the board to at least postpone a vote. About 500 student and labor-union activists demonstrated outside the meeting. Fourteen were arrested.

-- My-Thuan Tran

Photo: Students march in front of Covel Commons at UCLA, where regents will be voting on a fee increase later in the day. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Audio: Statement from demonstrators

More photos  >>

Comments

[Jay]

I fully understand the students are upset about a fee increase. But you are in school to get and education about life. This is a perfect life lesson. I went to UC nearly 40 years ago. Things were tough then also. I was making $1/hour in part time work. It was expensive to buy books, and pay tuition. I didn’t have time to attend “parties”, do the fun things on weekends, etc. I studied and I worked. I cleaned toilets to earn my way. It never crossed my mind that I was entitled to anything. I counseled a current young collage student to go to community college the first two years then transfer. They chose to spend $100,000 on a private college to get the “College Experience”. The College experience by their definition and actions is inter-campus basketball beginning at midnight, sauna time, and all night fright night movies. Since they are now on academic probation with a major that would not lead to productive employment upon graduation, they make be facing a lifetime of paying off tuition for time spent watching late night movies. So stop complaining start applying yourself to your studies, work part-time, so you can get a great job and become a taxpayer whom the next generation can demand you pay for their play.

[Michael]

UCLA denies 77% of students who apply each year, many with a very high GPA, yes they should raise tuition so they can provide enrollment to more students. These UCLA students shouldn't whine about a $300 per month increase when most are denied (like 40,000 calif. students a year are denied). So what a 5 star college education at one of the best universities in the world costs $1000 per month that is also the price of pre-school these days.

[Sally]

It is absolutely ridiculous that people are criticizing UCLA students for protesting against fee hikes in a time like this. Before you begin to criticize, think about the college students who as of right now can barely afford to pay tuition without the hike. How will they pay their tuition for next quarter? Many students will be forced to drop out of school because of this tuition hike. Many students dream's will be put on hold or even canceled because of such a decision.

So please stop being ignorant and realize that students need all the support they can receive, they are the future of this country.

[Michael]

If they don't like it, quit, let some of the thousands of students denied entrance to UCLA in.

[JoeS]

Demanding subsidized education?

The UC Welfare State, paid for by what's left of the CA economy. This is disgusting!

Threatening the Regents??

The UC Thug ocracy? Expel them! Anything less is disrespectful of the taxpayers.

This small group of punks must have been accepted on affirmative action because students who EARNED acceptance would behave better.

If the students were going to be analytical commensurate to the level of their academic institution, they could conceivably protest the waste, fraud and abuse by the UC administration. There is a LOT of WASTE in the UC system. I hope the economy sinks further so we can cut more.

[Sunshine Connie]

OK Kids I am sorry for you. I really am sorry that your parents and public schools have fed you a liberal line of crap for so long. This is simple Econ 101 time. Your collective votes have created a big time welfare society. A recession hit due to real estate and banking fraud which gave home ownership to people who had no economic business buying homes. That was all thanks to a liberal Washington environment in the early 70's. Your elected officials gave all the tax money away before they got it. They have provides grants and housing and schooling and health-care to deadbeats and illegal aliens. They have partied and had a good time on borrowed money. Just like the USA and perhaps your Mom and Dad, California is in deep debt and there is no more credit.

Now, you have choices to make. If you are not able to get grants or scholarships your options are simple enough.

1. Join the workforce if you can find a job
2. Join the PEACE CORP and go away for a year or two
3. Join the Military and learn on their dime
4. Join the TEA PARTY and learn what being a Conservative means
5. Just play the victim and watch the world pass you by

I am glad my daughter has graduated and my son is in his Senior Year at ASU.

Take this as a life's lesson and LEARN from it. You should control your destiny and be responsible. Expect nothing from the Government except the protsctions of life with Military, Fire, and Police. Work hard and you will survive.

You can move to another state and get a job and residency and finish your education in a year from now for a whole hell of a lot less than what UCLA is charging. Hiring Managers could care less where your degree is from about 99% of the time.

Good Luck to you all and this is the time for us momma birds to nudge you from the nest. It may well be time to grow up!

If I can help you make sense of this, simply post a way for me to contact you via email and I will.

Take care and please accept the apology from 1 baby boomer who does not belive in screwing over your generation.

Sunshine Connie in AZ

[Cat]

I am a recent graduate of UCLA and I do not understand these protests. I recognize that people are upset that things are going to cost more, but news flash, the state of California is broke. Also, the reason the state is broke is largely because of spending on social programs. The state should be spending more on education, however pandering only to the education lobby doesn't generate as many votes. Reading these comments, it seems that people view this as an attack on the lower class. The lower class is the same group that tends to benefit most from the various social welfare programs. Furthermore, they will continue to qualify for Federal Financial Aid. Most of your middle class students are the students who will be most impacted by this. For the most part their families are largely feeling the current economic squeeze, with parents taking pay cuts. To turn this into a class issue is ridiculous. This is an issue about a state mismanaging money for a long and sustained period. I am sure that the same group which is so actively opposing this fee increase would also get upset if social welfare programs were cut. The government can't do everything for people, people must do things for themselves. Protesting to the UC Regents is not the solution, they don't have the power to fix the underlying issues causing this problem.

As a final side issue, does anyone know of inflation adjusted tuition comparisons for the past 10 years?

[UCLA Undergrad]

As a UCLA Student, this strand of thought that somehow we should "work harder" or that we are somehow "spoiled brats" is not only erroneous it's disgusting.

With regards to the point that we should somehow work harder, I think the fact that I got into UCLA is a testament of my hard work. We aren't radicals or liberals, we're students competing in one of the most academically rigorous institutions in the world. The University of California is not only the envy of other states but of other countries. Look at any international ranking of universities, take for example Shanghai University's Academic of World Universities, 4 of the top 20 universities are UC's (UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UCSF). These really are world class institutions, full of top faculty, students and researchers. The University of California has more Noble Prize winners than any other university. Do you know how difficult it is to get into these schools? Take a look at admission statistics, more students apply to UCLA than any other university in the country. I don't think anyone has the right to question the work ethic of my peers and I. It's remarkable how little respect people on this forum have for this real gem our state has developed over the last century- the University of California.

Neither I nor my peers are asking for a "free education," we're merely asking for the same opportunities our parents and grandparents had. To attend a top institution at an affordable price. How that makes us "spoiled" is beyond me. Tuition increases have exceeded inflation exponentially, it's simply harder to be a student today than ever before. Admissions are more competitive than ever and on top of that students have a financial burden that far exceeds what their parents and grandparents held.

I would agree that protesting a meeting of the Regents is misguided, we should be directing our energy at Sacramento.

Quite thankfully my parents pay for my education and fortunately will be able to afford the hike. Nonetheless, it really saddens me that people fail to respect the University of California and the caliber of its students, faculty, and staff.

[uclastudent]

The problem with these fee increases is it places a heavier burden on low income students. With fee increase, qualified students from low income backgrounds will be less able to afford a quality education. The University of California system was founded because it would improve our state's economy by providing a more talented workforce. The problem is with fee increases the talent pool drops significantly and hurts California's economy in the long run. To those saying that these "lazy" students get jobs, many students I know can barely mantain their GPA with one job. UCLA is challenging enough without having to add extra time commitments.

[Barbara Dayan]

The immaturity of college students who think their education is a gift from Santa Claus is astonishing. It’s about time students begin to contribute more of their own money to their education instead of expecting California taxpayers to subsidize such a large portion of their tuition. Compared to other states, California public colleges are very low cost even with this new increase. Community colleges tuition is also ridiculously low which is one reason why many students in California do not value the education they can obtain there. What do students do in other states? They work and save up for college. Taxpayers in California have had enough; it’s time for all students in this state to pay their fair share of education costs.

[Dario, Cal State L.A. student.]

Mr Richardson,

Education is an entitlement. Making it more difficult for young Americans to get an education is what is "destroying our country".

[MC]

Please stand by our university and exhibit loyalty, we made a choice to be here and each student should appreciate this opportunity to be part of the UC education system. The decision is made due to statewide budget crisis, along with other concerns.

In my humble opinion, we as students should understand that the increasing fee is an inevitable decision, and we shall seek other resources for our tuition. These options include personal loans, work study program, part-time job, grants, and scholarships. I am sure that the UC Regency will also provide other methods for student to comply with the fee increase. After all, I don't believe that university make this decision in order to terminate our college education.

Although this may be my personal optimistic believe, I don't think we will be dropped out of college simply due to this fee increase. I will not argue that it has no impacts on student, but I believe that current and prospective students who really appreciate what UC has to offer may strive and overcome the challenges.

This is not the end of our college career--not to insult any my peers, but there are other options for college education if UC is no longer suitable.

A grateful student at UCLA.

[hapa]

With fees having doubled in less than a decade, is a UC education still a deal?

$10K a year in tuition IS a GREAT deal for a UC education. Just like "Student at Ivy League University " noted "tuition is roughly about $30,000" at an IVY league school. This is 66% cheaper than an IVY league education. Sounds like a Fin-FABULOUS bargain to me. A quick check shows that USC costs $39K/yr just for tuition (see link @ bottom) as well. This shows that UC is 75% cheaper than USC. Clearly the UC tuition is a great deal.

Melissa, UCI Undergraduate Student wrote, "higher education was built on the principles of ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY". To me, this sounds affordable. I think people need to take Math to calculate that tuition which is 65 -75% lower than private schools is a bargain. These UC Students need to take courses in Econ and social welfare as well because the numbers also clearly show that the TAXPAYERS (i.e. ME) are subsidizing this and that given the current state of affairs with our budget, that the free breakfast, lunch and dinner, needs to be cut back at some point. (Don't get me wrong, we clearly waste too much money in other areas as well of society, but on this point of it's a bargain - YES. Should the taxpayers subsidize EVERYTHING?? C'mon - I think we've subsidized a lot given the state of the economy.)

IMO - All of these college students protesting are nothing more than a bunch of little college brats. Instead of figuring out a way to make it work (by hmmm, maybe actually working and figuring out what the real-world is about), all they do is whine/cry/ and act-out (oh, is that what we call protesting these days?).

As someone commented "I say if you want to go to a UC and you're upset that the prices are rising, put in effort to find scholarships, grants, a part-time job. Students had it easy for long enough. Suck it up and take some loans."

At the end of the day, this is a capital market with various degrees of socialism weaved in-between. If you want to start your own business, you can go get a loan if you dont' have enough money on your own. This is no different. The taxpayers are subsidzing this to help those that can't afford private schools. If you really believe in yourself and think the education will provide a great return, then get a loan, get a job, and above all suck it-up and be happy that you are able to go to a government subsidized university.

(These kids are probably the same ones that come out and expect to be promoted every year and make six-figures before they are 30 even if the economics don't warrant it- grow-up!)

(http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates2/costs.html

[jacqueline Martinez]

This is ridiculous! i was just at UCB last night and students were being threatened with arrest for sitting in the building. Today right now this very moment we have students occupying mrak hall in UCD and students are being arrested! If this does not seem like a problem to you then maybe you need to slap yourself maybe then you will wake up from your little dream world where money is not an issue and everything is fixed by taking up another job or taking out more loans. This is something that is not going to stop , it is not just the fees its the principle!!! people need to open up your eyes and take a look around you, the world is a messed up place and its because people do not care! the schools are where our future leaders are being formed and if you take the funding away you are putting future leaders out on the street.

[asund]

they are tear gasing students at ucla right now

[Ay'Anna]

I am a UCLA student on campus I am appauld and outraged with some of the comments I am reading. People are posing the statement get a 2nd job. What about the people that already have second jobs, our first generation college students and can not get one. We are not a bunch of whiners and I stand on one accord with my brothers and sisters against your absurdity. This issue seems so irrelevant to you , when it's not affecting you, huh?
Our voices were heard today, and BELIEVE me we will MAKE change !!!!
"The students united will NEVER be divided"

[Student]

Please remember that these are "public" schools and raising tuition will take away the meaning and intentions of the government providing higher education for aspiring young people who are only looking to have the chance to improve our country and hence our economy.

Yes, the government doesn't owe us an education, but the idea of free education (or at least a relatively lower one) is an ideal that many other countries take envy of us because it is something that is seemingly impossible. We should be proud of providing opportunities and a brighter future for our younger generations

We, as students, are working hard just as everyone else. The competition amongst ourselves to obtain simply the chance to come to a university and learn is already difficult enough, and we are grateful for all the financial emotional support from our families as well as our government. For those who believe we are not working hard, then you are disillusioned by your own hardships. Our parents are suffering. We are suffering. Everyone is suffering. Placing further burdens on your country's "human assets" (if this will help you view things differently) will only hurt the economy even more. Stop the fee hikes.

[Jay Arr]

Good move. It's about time for a hefty increase. At $10K a year, this is a bargain. When I went to the university I worked to pay my tuition and r/b with no scholarship support. I know it can be done with smart planning and frugal living. And I came out with no student loan to pay back!

And from the Times' chart of tuition increases, it's obvious tuition has not kept pace with inflation.

To all you students out there, cut up your credit cards, hit the books and work part time. You can do it.

[YoungAndAngry]

Dear Old People, thanks for screwing everything up for us.

[Tekky99]

As a current UCLA student, let me just say: To all the people calling us whiners and telling us "get a second job and everything solved", it's obvious you guys are uneducated biggots who have only dreamed of going to college.

If you had been to college, you would know just how hard it is to have a job, prepare yourself for the post-college world, and make ends meet... ALL while maintaining classes and your GPA.

It's sad to say, but this decision will probably end up with more potential students giving up on a college education.

[earl_t]

I was a Republican for all of my life until just recently. The party "mantra" of "no new taxes" NO MATTER WHAT, an initiative process gone out of control, and the requirements of a super-majority for budget and tax-related items is turning the once Golden State into the basket case of America. I'm glad I got my Cal State and UC degree back when it was reasonable and the California school system was still the pride of the nation. This is the future of the state and nation we are shortchanging. Penny-wise and definitely pound foolish.

[Joanne]

WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU IDIOTS IN HERE?!
How would a second job help us pay our education?! That is why people go to school! So we can have a well paying job! How can we pay for our education with a minimum wage job!? Those who said we need a second job and to stop complaining are ignorant!

This is unfortunate. We are going to school only to pay back our loans.
Who cares if we are in Los Angeles and not in Sacramento. We have the right to protest. We have the right to be mad.

[Dwight]

I'm not sure what makes me angrier - the article or some of the comments. Comments that make democrats out to be the party of 'tax and spend' are clearly ignorant of history. A democratic president balanced the federal budget and paid down the national debt. A democratic president is working to curb run away health care costs that will bankrupt this nation in decades. A democratic president successfully reformed some outmoded and expensive weapon systems in the Pentagon's budget. A republican president spent hundreds of billions of dollars fighting two wars while giving the richest among us a tax cut, exploding our budget and indebted us deeply to foreign governments. A republican administration signed an entitlement scheme with drug companies costing billions with no funding mechanism. It's never black and white in complex political situations, but I have no patience for these comments' painful ignorance.

PS - californians - raise your taxes - accessible public education is key to democratic societies, but it costs money. Compared to national tuition rates for peer institutions, your tuition even after a 32% increase is low.

[Chris the cynic]

This situation is so wonderfully droll I can't stand it. I dare say at least 90% of these students are Democrats. Yet it was their party in an effort to "help" students that passed the bill to allow guaranteed student loans. This one bill caused the inflation in college tuition to rival that of health care. And now they're complaining at the inevitable results. There is no longer a concept of "working your way through college". Unless you're rich, expect loan amounts in the tens or hundreds of thousands to dog you all your life. And all these students would elect the same people who did it to them again. You just can't make this stuff up. Karma strikes again!

[KDuke]

I took a 30% pay cut this year and had my staff slashed. What pay cut did the university teachers take this year? How much has their administrative staff been cut? Oh yeah, I forgot, they work for the government. They don't have to be competitive like the rest of us!