Possible rise in University of California tuition

A view at night of the campus of the University of California at Berkeley. If a tax measure in California fails, tuition is likely to rise at UC campuses across the state.
(Photo courtesy of Flickr user withattitude_r)

Tuition for students at the University of California’s system of campuses is likely to rise in the middle of the forthcoming academic year if a tax measure proposed by Governor Jerry Brown does not pass.

The measure, which is due to be voted on by California voters in November, is known as Proposition 30, which would see income taxes and sales taxes increase, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times. If the measure does not pass, the Board of Regents of the university system may raise the tuition by twenty percent, according to a report from the Associated Press. Officials at UC said however that tuition could be raised by a smaller amount if other amounts of revenue could be located, the report adds.

The state budget which recently passes sees funding for the system of universities unchanged and due to increase next year by $125 million, only if Governor Brown’s tax measure passes, the AP report adds. “The stakes are pretty clear,” UC spokesman Steve Montiel told the AP. “`If the initiative doesn’t pass, it would be a tough situation for the university and ultimately for the students.”

Claudia Magana, the president of the Students Association of the UC system, said the Association would be working to ensure all of its students and those who advocate for higher education access would be made aware of the proposition and the vote. “We want to educate students on what this vote means,” Magana told the AP. “We’ll be doing everything in our power to make sure that it does pass.”

The Board of Regents are preparing to meet next week at the UC campus in San Francisco.