Why Is Nobody Yelling Robbery at UC?

Am I the only faculty member of the University of California who is appalled by what the regents are proposing to do to our students? Fees are about to go up 40% unless the Legislature prevents this travesty. We are told that students can afford it, that they come from households of $60,000 and more. This is an empty rationalization of outrageous bad faith. What would most adults say if they were told utility bills were going to be raised 40%, or property taxes were going up by that amount, in a single year? They would yell robbery. They would call for investigations. They would not be placated by the thought that some of them could afford it.

The key issue is whether or not everyone with the appropriate goals and talents can attend the university. This huge increase will be a barrier to many working class and poor students, and even to those in the middle class who have to pay their own way. Most of the students in my classes already work 15 to 20 hours a week at low-wage jobs, and still have to borrow to cover their costs.

The university claims to be concerned about minority enrollment and retention, and then it boosts its fees and promises to limit admission further. If carried out, its proposal is certain to reduce minorities on all our campuses. The original policy promised students their fees would not rise more than 10% a year. The regents are not making any more promises about the future. Once that policy is set aside, who will be able to plan financially for college?

The needy are assured of financial aid. But most aid is in the form of loans. Once again, social costs are being dumped on our youth. Most of the poor in our society are children. And these children will already have to pay for the savings and loan debt, the neglect of the infrastructure, and the Gulf War, plus my Social Security retirement.

Where is the equity or vision in this? Is this the way to build our professional work force?