University of California Regents to Partner with State

The University of California Board of Regents, after several years that have been punctuated by tuition hikes and cutbacks, will weigh a proposal at a meeting this morning to develop a multi-year funding plan with the state.

In a proposal to the board, university officials outlined a plan that could see tuition hikes as high as 16 percent annually for the next four years if the state provides no increase in support.

The increases students would see will depend on the amount of support provided by the state. For example, if the state provides 8 percent increases each year, then students would only need to provide the other 8 percent. If the state provides 4 percent increases, students would provide 12 percent increases.

Two decades ago, students paid $2,670 in tuition and fees. Students now pay $12,192, and tuition could reach $22,000 in four years in the worst-case scenario of no increase in funding from the state.

The hikes are meant to help offset a budget shortfall that is expected to grow to $2.5 billion over the same period.

Although the university expects to account for $1 billion of that deficit through efficiencies and new revenues, officials say they need the state to contribute for the university to remain competitive and protect its legacy of excellence.

The board was scheduled to consider the proposal yesterday morning at the University of California at San Francisco Mission Bay campus' community center at 1675 Owens Street.

--Bay City News