Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Cal State Trustees Debate Proposal To Increase Tuition, As Many Demand Changes
CSU Long Beach student Jennifer Chavez speaks at a rally attended by several hundred California State University employees and students on Tuesday at CSU headquarters in Long Beach. Chavez spoke out against a proposed 6% student tuition increase.
(
Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
/
LAist
)
At their July board meeting, a committee of California State University trustees criticized a plan to generate $840 billion off a student tuition increase.
What's been proposed
The tuition hike, as proposed, would raise student tuition by 6% starting in fall 2024. The money raised would help close a $1.5 billion CSU funding gap, while one third of the funds would go to student aid. CSU faces cost increases related to employee pay and maintenance, and the money would also go toward expanding student services as well, such as tutoring, cultural centers, and re-enrolling dropouts.
The opposition
A big criticism: The proposal calls for a review of the tuition plan after five years, but the proposal’s language doesn’t currently include an explicit sunset provision — meaning that tuition could keep going up 6% each year in perpetuity, some trustees argued. They said they wouldn’t vote for the proposal without adding a limit to the length of time.
Support for LAist comes from
Other trustees argued the proposal should be delayed so as to gather more student input.
Effect in real dollars
A 6% increase would amount to about $342 in the first year.
About 60% of students currently don't pay any tuition because of financial aid. CSU says they don't expect that to change, because a third of the money raised would go into additional aid. About 82% of students receive some financial aid, according to the proposal.
Add your voice
-
Cal State has debuted a new website with information about the tuition increase. Along with frequently asked questions, the site includes an option to give feedback. Share your comments.
Student trustee Diana Aguilar-Cruz gave an impassioned speech critical of the increase, advocating for the interests of the 40% of students who do pay some amount tuition, saying many are the breadwinners in their families, also have many other fees to pay, and will ultimately be significantly hurt by the higher costs.
Support for LAist comes from
Previous tuition increases have been politically charged and have faced opposition from students, staff, and state leaders. Hundreds of CSU students and employees protested outside the trustees meeting on Tuesday to oppose the increase.
What's next
The tuition increase could come to a vote in September.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist