Cal State University officials will ask the 23-campus system’s Board of Trustees Wednesday to approve a 9 percent tuition increase in order to maximize class selection, cover the cost of enrollment growth and maintain quality access for all students.
But, officials will also ask the board to approve a budget that calls for a $138 million “buyout” of the university system’s tuition increase. In that case, taxpayers, instead of the university system’s students, would cover the cost of the $498 hike.
“We all realize that the state is facing continued fiscal stress,” said Robert Turnage, CSU assistant vice chancellor for budget, “so the governor will have to make some tough choices in terms of managing a whole range of demands.”
The state legislator bought out an 8 percent or $200 tuition increase in 2006 but declined in 2010, when the CSU asked it to buyout half of a 10 percent increase.
“We believe there is a shot here,” Turnage said of the buyout, citing ongoing discussions with the state’s department of finance.
The vice chancellor believes this year’s buyout is different because the “size of [the state’s] overall [budget] problem has been whittled down.”
But, in a conference call with CSU student media Monday, Turnage said that just considering the university system’s price tag would be “one-dimensional thinking.”
“We’ve been turning away CSU-eligible students,” Turnage said, citing crippling state cuts, “and that’s not something we should be doing.”
Turnage explained that the enrollment of 20,000 new students rides on the CSU’s current budget proposal — one that relies on a $138 million tuition increase.
“This budget plan is about restoring student access,” he said. “We need resources to provide meaningful access for all students.”
But as current students continue to struggle with soaring tuition costs, CSU officials say the finger should be pointed at the state.
“I think the argument we can all bring to Sacramento is higher education is a priority,” said Erik Fallis, a CSU spokesman.
The university calls for this tuition hike amid an increasing possibility of additional cuts in state support. Before the end of next year, the CSU will likely face a $100 million cut on top the $650 million it faced last summer.
Since 2009, the CSU has approved five separate tuition increases, nearly doubling the 23-campus system’s cost of attendance.
In fall 2008, students paid $3,048 on top of mandatory campus fees. If the 9 percent hike is approved, students will pay $5,970 on top of mandatory campus fees.
The average annual cost of attendance for a CSU student would be $7,017.
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