CSU Trustees Weigh More Tuition Hikes Ahead Of Prop. 30 Vote

LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — California State University officials met on Tuesday to discuss budget contingency plans that included possible tuition increases and a reduction in graduation requirements for undergraduates.

KNX 1070's Ron Kilgore reports the proposal would go into effect if Proposition 30 fails to garner enough votes in November.

If voters defeat Prop. 30 — which would increase sales tax and income taxes on those earning $250,000 or more — the University could face up to $250 million in funding cuts that will result in another 5 percent tuition increase.

Those cuts would push the current undergraduate tuition rate to $6,500 per year, not including books and other school-related expenses.

While campaigning for Prop. 30 in the Southland last month, Governor Jerry Brown rejected critics' claims that the measure does not guarantee the new tax money would go to schools.

"This tax measure goes into a special fund for our schools," Brown said, adding that a yearly audit would ensure the funds are properly distributed.

The CSU Trustees Finance Committee will also consider a plan to eliminate nine upper-division general education courses to reduce to 120 units the total number of units required to graduate from most CSU programs.

The full CSU Board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the proposed fee increase.