SAN DIEGO - UCSD undergrads aren't happy with a thirty-two percent tuition hike. They took to the streets Friday afternoon to voice their anger.
Protests took place at other UC campuses across the state as well. At UCLA, the regents needed a police escort as thousands of students yelled and screamed. Similar shouts could be heard at UC Davis.
At UC Berkley, students barricaded themselves in part of a campus building. The demonstrators occupied Wheeler Hall and hung a sign out of a window that read "32 Percent Hike, 900 layoffs" with the word "Class" crossed out in red. A group of students also rallied outside the building.
Campus police say they've arrested three of the demonstrators inside.
In San Diego, a raucous crowd of more than sixty UCSD students protested the University of California's decision to raise tuition $2500 through the fall of next year.
Matthew Laton, an out-of-state student who goes to UCSD, hopes the Board of Regents re-thinks it's decision.
Laton said, "I am not going to be able to go to school next year, pretty much."
Students interfered with traffic for more than an hour at the intersection of Villa La Jolla and Gillman drive. At times, traffic backed up several cars.
UCSD junior Laura Melgar hopes everyone gets the point. "It indirectly affects the community as well. Like, we are suppose to be the future leaders of this country."
The UC system is facing a 535-million dollar budget deficit. Melgar believes that's no reason for the students to pay for it.
Melgar said, "You have people that can't pay the increase. You are going to have more people leaving these schools."
"It's really rough," says UCSD student Amanda Wells.
Even though the Regents set aside about $175 million for financial aid from the money raised with the increase, Wells says she'll have to work more and go to school part-time next semester.
"With these 32% increases they are saying not everyone deserves to have an education," says Wells.
In addition to the fee increases students at UCSD say they are already noticing cutbacks in available classes as they register for the next semester, so they fear even students who can afford the additional fees will have a harder time graduating in four years.
Storming UCLA Hall
LOS ANGELES - A group of students occupied UCLA's Campbell Hall Thursday to protest a proposed 32 percent tuition increase.
Some classes were canceled as a result, but no arrests have been reported.
"No action is being taken by the university; they aren't posing a threat," said UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton.
In a statement posted on the school's Web site, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said: "As you likely know, the UC Regents are meeting on campus in Covel Commons. There were a number of protest demonstrations yesterday and they are continuing today. It's important for us to honor the right to protest, but we also must maintain an environment of civility, respect and safety on our campus.
"Currently, a number of students are conducting a sit-in in Campbell Hall, and classes there have been canceled. If you do not need to be in the vicinity of Campbell Hall or Covel Commons, please stay away."
The students who stormed Campbell Hall barricaded the doors with chains and bike locks, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The protesters are targeting a University of California Board of Regents meeting at UCLA, where the panel plans to consider today giving final approval to a 32 percent tuition increase to offset cuts in state funding.
Fourteen people were arrested Wednesday as the regents' Finance Committee discussed -- and eventually approved -- the proposed fee hike, which would push in-state annual tuition at UC campuses above $10,000 for the first time.
Under the proposed fee increases, tuition at UC campuses would increase by $585 in the spring, then another $1,344 next fall.
Along with a $900 registration fee, the hikes would bring annual in-state UC tuition to $10,302, not including campus fees, housing and books. UC officials said the university is facing a $535 million budget deficit, and the increases are necessary to close the gap.
"... This is our one best shot at preventing this recession from pulling down a great system toward mediocrity," said UC President Mark Yudof. "In the long term, that would not be good for the students of today or tomorrow. And it would be devastating for California as a whole."
He said revenue from the increased student fees will allow UC "to restore canceled courses that students may need to graduate on time, along with some vital student services, such as more library hours."
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside UCLA's Covel Commons on Wednesday. Protesters who made it inside the Finance Committee meeting disrupted the session at least twice by loudly chanting slogans such as, "We are not afraid," and "We shall overcome." Campus police cleared the room of protesters.
The crowd was more raucous outside Covel Commons, where hundreds of protesters chanted and waved signs. Fourteen people, including 12 students, were arrested and cited, according to UCLA. The university also reported that one student was injured in the crowd protesting outside the meeting site and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Some protesters planned to remain at UCLA as part of a 24-hour demonstration until the full Board of Regents meeting Thursday.
The UC Regents also plan to ask for a $913 million state funding increase for the next fiscal year -- with plans to cut freshman enrollment if the funding is not approved.
