CSU system sees 12 percent increase in tuition

This is just the latest of fee increases to rock the CSU system in recent years. Tuition costs have more than doubled in just five years and the result is higher costs for a declining number of students.

Despite protests from students outside their meeting in long beach, the chancellors of the California State University system voted in another tuition increase.

Fresno State education professor Joe Parks is among those upset. "I find it amazing that the 23 presidents of the Cal State system schools are kind of going along with whatever tuition increases are being implemented by the governor."

But, faced with $650 million in budget cuts from the state, Fresno State President John Welty says the system has no choice. "We've been cut to the bone."

The 12 percent hike just approved follows a ten per cent increase approved last year. Both take effect with the start of the fall term. Undergraduate tuition at Fresno State was just under $5,000 during the last school year.

The hikes approved Tuesday, combined with those approved earlier push the cost of tuition to nearly $5,500 year. Add another $800 or so in additional campus fees and the cost climbs to nearly $6,300.

Incoming freshman like Deandre Jean-Pierre are adjusting. "That's why I'm staying with my mom because of the tuition and fee raise I won't be able to afford my own place."

Those students who are able to stay in school say it's getting tougher. Junior Steffany Aguilar says her four year degree is likely to now take six years. "It's a lot more crowded, a lot harder to get into my classes. One of the courses I'm taking they only offer one time and it's during my job. I can't you know it's either go to my job or go to class."

The latest cuts mean tuition costs have more than doubled in just the past five years from $2,500 a year in 2006 to more than $5,000 now.

Retired Fresno City Professor Don Larson says the state will suffer long term damage from these cuts. "It shuts people out, and it shuts out people who need the education the most. "

Larson says those without educations will be a drag, rather than a benefit to the economy.

Not everyone will pay more, about 170,000 students, those who received tuition fee waiver or grants will be exempt. But, 55 percent will have to pick up the tab.