Thursday, November 19, 2009

Student Protest Blocks Regents After 32% Tuition Hike

This from MSNBC:

University of Calif. OKs 32 percent tuition hike

Some officials blocked by students
from leaving UCLA building

As hundreds of students demonstrated outside, University of California leaders on Thursday voted to approve a 32 percent hike in undergraduate fees, arguing the increase is crucial because of the state’s budget crisis.

Some of those UC regents were later trapped inside a UCLA building as protesters blocked the exits.

UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton said chains of demonstrators have linked arms to block the exits. One person inside the building says the regents have been held there for two hours. It is unclear how many remain inside.

Hampton said he could not confirm any injuries, although television footage shows one person was treated after being sprayed by an unknown substance.

The UC Board of Regents approved a two-phase increase that will boost the average undergraduate fee $2,500 by next fall. That would bring the average annual cost to about $10,300 — a threefold increase in a decade...

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

As an educator, I think it is fair to say that these demonstrations in California could very well have be a harbinger of things to come --- as important at the attack on the Bastille or the March to Versailles.

The students' grievances are legitimate. Cost are spiraling out of control and a college education offers no promises these days. Students of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your financial chains.