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CSU Eyes New Fees To Push Students To Graduate On Time

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — California State University officials are set to unveil incentives for college students to graduate on time even as budget cuts in Sacramento have cut classes and admissions at campuses statewide.

The CSU Board of Trustees will meet next week to discuss a new round of fees to encourage students to graduate in four years.

The meeting comes on the heels of the passage of Proposition 30 that will give $249 refunds to students to make up for prior tuition increases.

Officials are expected to propose three new fees, including a so-called "graduation incentive fee" on students who have completed 160 units, a fee for students who take 18 units or more in a semester, and a fee for students who repeat courses.

Michael Uhlencamp, director of media relations for the Cal State University system, told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO the proposals are aimed at changing student behavior.

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"It's gonna allow for access for thousands of new students and help those current students get those courses they need," Uhlencamp said.

He denied the fee proposal would generate any revenue for the CSU system, which is still faces an estimated $1 billion shortfall, Uhlencamp added.

An estimated 40,000 classroom seats in CSU classes each term are occupied by students who have already taken that course, officials said.

The Board of Trustees will consider the proposals next week.

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