Big Tuition Hikes Loom As Cal State University Faces Budget Cuts

LONG BEACH (AP) — The head of the California State University system is warning that big tuition hikes may be unavoidable if the state doesn't extend temporary tax increases as proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Officials at a meeting of the CSU finance committee Tuesday in Long Beach said failing to extend the tax increases would result in another $500 million in cuts on top of the $500 million already proposed.

Chancellor Charles Reed told the committee that covering the possible $1 billion in cuts may force the university to raise tuition by up to 32 percent.

Reed said that with some of that increase funneled back into financial aid, the system's 23 campuses would still have to absorb another $100 million in cuts.

The tax increases are set to expire by July 1.

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