University of California leaders approved a plan Thursday to raise tuition and fees on a multiyear basis at the system's 10 campuses.
Beginning in the 2022-23 academic year, tuition and fees will increase by 2% plus inflation for new undergraduates. The increase is the first imposed by the UC system since 2017 and the second increase in the past decade.
According to Cal Matters, in-state tuition and fees will increase $534, raising the in-state tuition and fees to more than $13,100.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the increase will only apply to incoming undergraduates and remain flat for up to six years. Incoming undergraduates would also have an increased initial tuition and fees, with the rate staying flat for up to six years.
The UC system recently receiving $1.27 billion in state funding, but UC President Michael Drake said the system is facing a financial crisis and needs the influx of revenue from the increase.
“Our campuses have had to make painful compromises when it comes to the programs and services that are offered,” Drake said. “Students have often borne the burden of these compromises.”
California's Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, who sits on the UC Board of Regents, opposed the increase.
“It feels like the University of California is not paying close enough attention what is going on out there in the public sphere,” she said.
“Students cannot afford, with the current support that they’re getting, to be able to get that education. In many cases, they end up living out of their cars or dropping out of school for a while until they can afford to come back.”