UC students lobby state capitol for affordability compact
More than 150 University of California students lobbied at the steps of the state capitol Monday, asking state legislators to make access and affordability of a UC education a top priority.
Monday marked the first time the UC Student Association presented state legislators with its proposal for a Student Compact to make higher education affordable through increased financial aid, funding for academic preparation, and a long-term fee policy based on what families can afford.
In May 2004, UC President Robert Dynes and California State University Chancellor Charles Reed made a compact with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger which outlined what the university would receive from the state over the next several years.
But some members of UCSA see the compact as problematic because it did not include input from students, legislators or UC Board of Regents members.
“Now there is no student voice in government policy,” said Ruth Obel-Jorgenson, UCSA organizing director.
By forming a Student Compact, UCSA officers hope to secure student roles in determining tuition increases.
UCLA students spoke at the capitol with legislators about their proposed compact and met with 26 legislators from the L.A. area, said Roy Samaan, campus organizing director for UCSA.
Samaan said the legislators he met with were supportive of the students’ proposal but did not offer any concrete commitments.
UCSA’s proposed compact would call for financial aid to cover a full tuition but limit work-study time and student debts to those payable in 10 years.
Outreach-program funding, which Samaan said are necessary to bring low-income students to the UC, was another area addressed in the compact.
These programs were cut when the governor eliminated $17.3 million from statewide outreach programs in the January budget proposal.
The financial issue is particularly pressing now, with student fees increasing at a faster pace than financial aid.
“Fees have gone up 79 percent in the past four years,” Samaan said. “The more fees go up, the less financial aid is available, less students will be able to afford a UC education.”
Affordability is an issue because as tuition increases each year, “low-income students get pushed out of the university,” said Jeannie Biniek, USAC external vice president and UCSA member.
Obel-Jorgenson said it was important for low-income students to attend UC schools so the student body more accurately reflects the population of California, adding that tuition should be based on what families can afford even in a state budget crisis.
As part of lobbying efforts, students are advocating for certain bills they say would benefit students.
Biniek said one bill they are focussing on is AB 1315, which would restore funding for academic preparation.
Obel-Jorgenson said academic preparation is for UCLA students because at the moment, “UCLA’s (academic) program is the strongest program in the country” and a loss in funding could jeopardize its quality.
UCSA President Anu Joshi called the rally a success and said she was excited to “see legislators come and talk about how they supported us.”
According to Joshi, UCSA plans to host events on all UC campuses, including in-district lobbies in the spring in Los Angeles to gain support for the Student Compact from local legislators.
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