Student fees to rise in '95

Trustees, Brown, students back fee freeze in 1996-97

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Brown came to Long Beach to support California State University students Thursday as they pleaded with members of the California State University Board of Trustees to halt a 10 percent fee increase proposed for next year's budget.

The trustees voted for the 10 percent increase to student fees for the 1995-96 school year, in an effort to raise student fees to a level equaling one-third of the total cost of education. Chancellor's Office figures indicate a full-time student's education to cost more than $6,000 each year.

During the meeting, students from the 22 CSUs asked the board to not raise fees and to support an amendment made by Trustee William Hauck. Hauck's amendment requests the board to ask the state to take money from the general fund rather than impose an additional fee increase in 1996-97 school year.

CSU Chancellor Barry Munitz told students and trustees that Hauck's resolution is risky. Despite the chancellor's warning, the board unanimously voted to approve the amendment.

Munitz said that since students currently pay less than the desired one-third of all educational expenses, the amendment might cause legislators to split the expense of tuition right down the middle. In a press conference after the meeting, Brown promised, if elected, to freeze fee increases at CSUs and community colleges.

"(The CSU) system isn't affordable and isn't accessible anymore," she said.

Brown, the current California treasurer, accused Gov. Pete Wilson of levying unnecessary taxes in the form of university fee hikes.

"The incumbent governor believes California can solve problems by raising taxes and fees I believe we have got to cut, not tax, and I have an economic plan to do just that," Brown said.

The president of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's Associated Students, Erica Brown, told the assembly that accessibility to higher education is becoming difficult for some.

"There needs to be diversity in our schools and when fees are raised, low-income students just don't have the money to pay," Brown said. Other matter approved by the board at the meeting included a $130 million revenue bond plan to fund capital outlay program for 1995- 96. Part of this funding would be used for seismic, health and safety code improvements to building on the 22 campuses.

The board also met in closed session to interview candidates and make its selection for president of Cal State Monterey Bay. Sources at the Chancellor's office said the name of the new president will be announced today.

CSU police officers were present to search spectators at the meeting, due to the high-student turnout expected and the possibility of protests against the fee hike, said CSU Dominguez Hills Police Chief Michael Lordanich.

No disturbances were reported at the meeting, however.