An advocate for California taxpayers says the state’s university system is trying to scare voters into passing tax hikes. Meanwhile, salaries of higher-ups within the system continue to rise.
The Regents of the University of California has backed Gov. Jerry Brown’s (D) tax hike plan, promising to freeze next year’s tuition for undergraduates if the measure passes. Passage of Proposition 30, Brown’s November ballot measure — along with the tuition freeze — would give the UC system $125 million more. If the proposition fails, however, the university will have to settle for an almost $300 million mid-year cut. UC officials estimate they could raise tuition 20 percent for undergraduates to cover the cost.
Rhonda Deniston, Oceanside events director for Stop Taxing Us, says that plan is unfair.
“I don’t think that it’s fair to the students to raise the tuition when you have these absorbent — I mean extremely absorbent — pays for campus presidents and administrators,” she contends. “I think the fact that California has low tuition compared to other states attracts students to stay in the state of California. So I think what it would do — if they increase the tuition if tax initiative fails, which I believe it will — it’s just going to drive students out to other universities.”
Opponents of Brown’s Proposition 30 claim the University of California is threatening to hold “higher education hostage.”
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University of California Berkeley Provost Breslauer Chancellor Birgeneau deny access to Californians with high tuition fees. UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau, Provost Breslauer leave an indelible mark on access and affordability. Self absorbed Chancellor and Provost are outspoken for public Cal. ‘charging Californians much higher’ tuition. Number 1 ranked Harvard is now less costly. Cal. tuition is rising faster than costs at other universities. The ‘charge Californians higher’ tuition makes Cal. the most expensive public university!
Birgeneau ($450,000 salary) Breslauer ($306,000 salary) like to blame the politicians, since they stopped giving them every dollar expected. The ‘charge Californians more’ tuition skyrocketed fees by an average 14% per year from 2006 to 2011-12 academic years. If Birgeneau Breslauer had allowed fees to rise at the same rate of inflation over the past 10 years they would still be in reach of most middle income students. Chancellor Provost increased disparities in higher education defeat the promise of equality of opportunity. An unacceptable legacy for students, parents, politicians!
Additional funding should sunset. The economic downturn is devastating the budgets of Californians.. Simply asking Californians for more money to fund inept Cal. leadership, old expensive higher education models and support excessive salaries, burdensome bonuses, and expensive pensions is not the answer.
UC Berkeley is to maximize access to the widest number of Californians at a reasonable cost: mission of diversity and equality of opportunity. Birgeneau’s Breslauer’s ‘charge Californians higher’ tuition denies middle income Californians the transformative value of Cal’s higher education.
Opinions? UC Board of Regents marsha.kelman@ucop.edu Calif. State Senators, Assembly members.