In support of AB 970

Whereas, state divestment in higher education along with the Regents’ decisions to increase student fees/tuition by 68% since 2007-2008 and over 200% in the past decade; and

Whereas, students continue to be left out of the decision making process involving student fee/tuition increases; and

Whereas, students now pay more in tuition than that of the state, thus students should have more involvement in how fees can and should be raised; and

Whereas, the California Master Plan for Higher Education guarantees a tuition-free public university education and therefore it commits that the state shall bear the financial responsibility for funding post-secondary education; and
 
Whereas, the current budget crisis in California demands the protection of students from rapidly rising fees/tuition; and

Whereas, both students current and future, should have the guarantee that financial aid will be protected to uphold the Accessibility aspect of the Master Plan;

Let it be resolved that Legislative Council supports the passage of AB 970 that guarantees the following provisions:

1. Requires a minimum 6-month notice of a fee/tuition increase
2. Mandates a 90 day consultation process with students upon fee/tuition increase proposals
3. Requires the change of the word tuition back to fees
4. Protects 33% of student’s Financial Aid from the overall budget towards every UC campus and all current and future UC students with Financial Aid.