Cal State students to protest so-called ‘success fees’ Wednesday

Students opposed to the increasing use of campus fees to pay for academic programs are expected to rally at a meeting of the Cal State trustees Wednesday.

Campuses in San Diego and Fullerton recently joined nine others in enacting so-called “student success fees” to help pay for more classes, faculty hiring and other basic educational services.

The Dominguez Hills campus is currently considering a $280 per semester fee that, if approved by a campus committee and Chancellor Timothy P. White, would take effect next fall.

Many students and faculty, however, criticize the charges as a way to shift more costs to students without increasing tuition.

The critics argue the fees sidestep a commitment to freeze student costs in return for increased state funding.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2014-15 spending plan includes a $142.2-million funding increase each for Cal State and the University of California on condition the universities hold costs stable.

Fee opponents argue the system should seek more state funding, while campus leaders contend their schools have yet to recover from years of budget cuts.

Brown, who attended the board’s Tuesday meeting, has not commented on the success fees. It was unclear whether he would return Wednesday .

carla.rivera@latimes.com

Twitter: @CarlaRiveraLat