SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — University of California students clashed with police outside a meeting of the UC Board of Regents, which is scheduled to vote on another tuition increase.

UC spokesman Pete King says police arrested at least 16 protesters who tried to cross a police barricade at the building where the regents were meeting on the San Francisco campus Wednesday.

Christine Byon of the UC Students Association says a group of student protesters was pepper-sprayed.

Inside the meeting, several students urged the board to vote against the proposed eight percent tuition increase.

UC officials say the fee hike is needed because the cash-strapped state has slashed funding to the 10-campus system.

The board is scheduled to vote on the tuition proposal Thursday.

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