Today was the third day of tuition increase protests on the campus of UC Santa Cruz in California. The University approved a 32 percent increase in fees last thursday in hopes of palliating or alleviating the economic constraints on the schooling system. California seems to be ahead of the curve in recession economics trouble, experiencing greater troubles than most places. The UC system plans to gain an additional $505 million dollars from tuition increases. The students are holed up at Kerr hall, a main building of the campus. Financial aid is still available at these schools but the tuition increase here is about 15 percent more than those at other state Universities. The students hope to persuade administration to reduce the increase or eliminate it. But, they won't.
The students made a list of 20 "demands" detailing how they want the administration to increase funding, spokesman Barry Shiller said. But the school has no plans to negotiate the demands with the student body, he said. The school just doesn't have the money, he added.
-CNN
The administration doesn't have to acknowledge the protests of students. Just as the students have a right to protest increases, the administration has a right to ignore them. And the students have the right to apply elsewhere and move their academics to a cheaper environment. However, having the students arrested, as the UC system advocated by calling the police to cite 93 protestors for trespassing at UC Davis and UC Berkelee, is wrong. The UC system has a reputation for being a breeding ground for liberal ideals and freedom. Having protestors arrested is a powerful negative to their reputation. The freedom to protest should be upheld, even when the protest goes against the school.
This issue hits me personally. This morning, before reading this article, I entered my mom's credit card number to cover the $60 dollar application fee to the UC Santa Barbara facility. I finally completed the application in hopes of attending a liberal, warm-climate, and outright beautiful school. Now, I'm having second thoughts. Is UCSB as liberal as I thought? And how will this tuition increase affect my ability to afford the education? I almost wish I had never applied. It seems as though I can do better than somewhere that arrests their own students. Why not attend a private college and get a more personal education as the prices become more and more comparable?
Comments
Dear Michael, Your post,
Dear Michael,
Your post, "UC System Not the Same," brought up some very intersting points concerning the UC system that I was not aware of before. I knew that they were struggling during the recession and increasing tuition, but I didn't think about the implications that the actions of the colleges were having on their own reputations.
I was planning on applying to a California state school, probably Berkeley, for the same reasons that you stated: " I finally completed the application in hopes of attending a liberal, warm-climate, and outright beautiful school." What more is there to want? Great research facilities, open debate, and sunshine... I almost forgot about the money. But when I was talking with my mom the other day, she reminded me that in addition to raising tuition, many of these states schools were laying off staff to cut back on cost, leading to more classes being taught by T.A.'s instead of professors. Increased tuition and a higher teacher to student ratio? Not for me.
My opinion has shifted even more after reading your discussion when you said "The UC system has a reputation for being a breeding ground for liberal ideals and freedom. Having protestors arrested is a powerful negative to their reputation." As you stated, it seems like many people consider this reputation as a big reason for applying, and these actions will only hurt the schools. They've certainly pushed this potential applicant further away.
Hopefully, these colleges can turn things around eventually. Unfortunately, I don't think this will happen by the time March and Decision Day comes around. Keep up the good writing!
Dear Michael, Your post
Dear Michael,
Your post brings up many of the recent hesitations and woes I have also experienced as I go through the college application process to the UC schools. It doesn't seem that long ago that the UC schools were completely on top of their game. They were some of the most sought after institutions in the United States, however, their recent economic and employee downcuts have greatly reduced much of their pride and credibility. I had a conversation with my dad a couple weekends ago about even going forth applying to the UC schools I was looking at. One of the big problems we talked about were that almost half of the students attending UC schools have had to start changing their majors because the schools cannot accommodate them with the classes they need. I can't imaging something scarier than almost completing college and then having to completely change and re-think your future plans because the school you have invested almost 120,000 dollars in can't help you anymore. Having grown up in California, he said it was devastating to see these institutions make so many bad decisions and put their students in jeopardy.
A phrase that I liked in your post was, "And the students have the right to apply elsewhere and move their academics to a cheaper environment." I completely agree, it is ridiculous to begin arresting these kids who are only unsatisfied with their education, an education that should have been ensured the right way. Now as I really start applying, I may start looking at the smaller liberal arts schools because it seems that the UC schools are so incredibly risky.
I look forward to future posts,
Meghan