UCLA Cancels Annual 'Beat USC' Bonfire After Students Protest UC Tuition Hikes

WESTWOOD (CBSLA.com) — UCLA Thursday night canceled its annual "Beat USC" bonfire after student demonstrators blocked it from being lit in protest of recent plans to raise tuition.

More than 50 students rallied around the large woodpile built for the traditional bonfire. They are angry over the UC Board of Regents' decision to hike tuition by 5 percent over the next five years.

"Our tuition's already increased over 300 percent since the 90s and students literally can't afford it," UCLA graduate student Jonathan Lake said. "This is an issue where there are students who are desperate, literally cannot afford their school anymore."

The tuition increases are scheduled to take effect in the 2015-2016 school year.

UCLA will face USC Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.