Proposal to Hike College Tuition Fee by University of California
[Institute]
For people who currently reside in the state of California, referred to as in-state residents, the total tuition fee for the University of California could rise to about $12,804. In five or six years’ time, this increase could push the total tuition price to $15,564. This expense does not include room costs, dining, board and books. UC has made this decision to charge more money in order to provide better facilities to its students. This reason has led the UC system President Janet Napolitano, to dishonor her previous statement and not fulfill the hike freeze promised by colleges. (DesJardins, Ahlburg and McCall 2002: 653)
There are two main groups or entities who oppose tuition hikes in Californian colleges; the students (and of course, their parents) who have to pay for the extra costs, and the government of California, headed by Governor Jerry Brown. It was originally the Governor’s plan to hold off tuition hike for four years in the state of California. His plan to not increase tuition fees was closely tied to his budget that approved the increase in college grants for all Californian colleges. The Californian government is opposed to the decision of increasing the tuition fee hike. (Gordon 2014)
A representative from Brown’s Finance Department has stated that the governor is not pleased. He said that, “the governor did not like the idea of tuition hikes for students. The governor has made his opinion on tuition hikes immensely bright, and they have been so for the past two years,” (Mathews 2013). The students have also been opposed to the increase. They show support for the Californian government when they state that college education needs to be reasonably priced and easily accessible for all Americans, especially the middle-class and lower-class families.
Proponents
The biggest proponent for the increase in the price hike has inevitably been the administration at University of California headed by the UC system’s President Janet Napolitano. (Hemelt and Marcotte 2011)
The systems’ chief believes that tuition hikes come as an immediate result of the recent price hikes that so many people have to face. She says that like everyone, universities have to meet the increase in overall prices. However, since all sources of income, including tuition fee and grants by the government have remained fully stable, there has been no other way to pay these finances and the University might even go into debt. Furthermore, she stated that only thirty-percent of the ten-campus university’s students pay the entire tuition bill; the rest are on either scholarships or financial aids. She further said that it is always welcoming to freeze the tuition fee hike but if the fee is frozen for too long, the cap will eventually come off. (Miller 2014)
Conclusion
The proponents of the price hike have a fair case. While it is good to imagine a situation where education is equal and cheap for all, one has to be realistic. If all sources of income, like tuitions and Californian government grants are stable while the costs rise, it will be more complicated to run a good university. It should also be taken into consideration that with more funds, the University will be able to accommodate 5,000 more students over the course of five years (Long Term Funding Plan 2014). However, education being an essential need, it has to be more accessible for the masses rather than it being a product for the wealthy only.
References
Gordon, L, "UC proposes steady tuition hikes". Retrieved November, 2014 Available: http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-uc-tuition-20141106-story.html#page=1
Hemelt, Steven W. and Marcotte, Dave E. 2011. “The impact of tuition increases on enrollment at public colleges and universities,” Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 435-457. Retrieved November 7, 2014 (http://ftp.iza.org/dp3827.pdf)
L. DesJardins, S, Dennis A. Ahlburg and Brian P. McCall 2002. "Simulating the longitudinal effects of changes in financial aid on student departure from college. ", Journal of Human Resources volume ( 37 ), p.653 – 679
"Long Term Funding Plan." Retrieved November, 2014 Available: http://budget.universityofcalifornia.edu/
Matthews, D, "The Tuition is Too Damn High, Part III — The three reasons tuition is rising". Retrieved January, 2014 Available: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/08/28/the-tuition-is-too-damn-high-part-iii-the-three-reasons-tuition-is-rising/
Miller, J, "Napolitano makes case for the University of California tuition increase". Retrieved November, 2014 Available: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article3938256.html
