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CSU Trustees Approve Ninth Tuition Hike In 9 Years

LONG BEACH (CBS) — Cal State University trustees approved a tuition hike Wednesday despite a violent student protest.

Several demonstrators sitting in on the meeting on campus were escorted outside by police after discussion turned volatile.

At least three people were detained and officers used pepper spray to get attendees to leave. KCAL9's Suraya Fadel reports that a window was shattered and one police officer was injured.

The board, however, was able to approve the ninth tuition increase in as many years with a 9 to 6 vote after the reconvened at athe Chancellor's office off campus.

CSU officials say they needed to act quickly because state funding has been slashed.

However, they will first ask for $138.3 million in state funding to avoid the increase, which would only go into effect is their request is denied.

Tuition will then go up $498 per student – to roughly $6,000 without books and housing – for the 2012-2013 school year.

Roughly 300 students who say they are already struggling to pay for their education demonstrated outside the hearing.

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