HUNTINGTON BEACH : Students Decry Proposed Fee Hikes

The voice of Golden West College student Sonya Bain cracked with emotion on Thursday as she discussed the impact she feared some of Gov. Pete Wilson’s current budget proposals could have on her education.

“I’d have to drop out,” said the 25-year-old nursing student, who was among the crowd of more than 100 students attending a “teach-in.” The event was organized by campus leaders to discuss proposed increases in community college tuition fees.

College administrators, students and representatives for two local assemblymen told the crowd that Wilson’s Aug. 14 proposal to increase tuition from $6 per unit to $20 per unit could mean that a college education in California would no longer be accessible to many people.

“I don’t know about any of you, but I can’t pay $20 a unit,” student Christine Stava said to the crowd. “Everyone should be able to complete their educational goals. We all need to be able to be at this college and be able to afford it.”

Speakers also addressed a proposal that would eliminate state funding for community college students who have completed more than 90 college units. The measure would allow the colleges to charge those students up to $112 per unit, college officials said.

“I would really be affected because I already have a degree,” said Bain, who has a bachelor’s degree in political science from USC. “I shouldn’t have to pay more money.

“All students have a responsibility to pay, but I think that responsibility should be evenly distributed.”

William Carpenter, the college’s vice president of student services, also argued that the proposals would have a negative impact on students.

“We’re already under great stress,” Carpenter said to the students. “If the fees go up, that doesn’t mean that the local colleges will have additional money to offer the classes.”

All of the speakers urged the students to call their local legislators and register their concerns.

“We have an $11-million budget deficit right now, and all of the programs are facing budget cuts,” said Stephanie Mingura, a field representative for Assemblyman Tom Mays (R-Huntington Beach). “There is no easy solution. But you must get involved. You must let your legislators know your concerns.”

Ann Marie Piring, a field representative for Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove), told the students that the state sees the fee increases as “a potential pot of gold.”

“It’s not right,” Piring said. “You have a voice. A lot of you don’t use it, and, boy, do they know it.

“They take advantage of that in situations like this. They know they are not going to be attacked on this issue at election time.”

Gary Price urged his fellow students to take action.

“Don’t just sit there! Call the governor’s office and ask for Pete,” he said. “This is going to affect all of us. If you’re going to be apathetic, then you will have nothing to say when it happens to you.”