The CSU Board of Trustees voted 17-2 in favor of a proposed increase in student tuition by 6% annually, at Glenn S. Dumke Auditorium in Long Beach, Calif. on Sept. 13.
The proposal, titled the “Multi-Year Tuition Proposal,” will increase tuition each semester for undergraduate students by $342, and $432 for graduate students beginning in the fall of 2024 according to a 23 ABC Bakersfield article.
Daisy Navarrete, A.S. Student Government president from CSU Channel Islands spoke at the beginning of the public forum. Navarrete said the CSU is meant to be affordable, offer social mobility and allow students of all backgrounds an opportunity to succeed and access higher quality education.
“To say this tuition hike is a modest request is heartless to students who don’t have the opportunity to work, like student parents and undocumented students,” Navarrete said.
Protestors outside the auditorium could be heard yelling, banging drums, and using horns to make a stand against the tuition increase, according to the Long Beach Post. Karen Carrillo, Cal State Fresno A.S. president said an alternative approach to the tuition increase could be a series of 3% to 6% incremental increases over the span of three to six years.
“After extensive discussion with my fellow students it is clear to me that anything beyond the total of 18% will be financially detrimental to all of us,” Carrillo said. “If we were to continue to raise tuition of the five year assessment, how would we differ from the UC tuition rates?”
Tuition for CSU students costs $5,742 per academic year for undergraduate students, according to the 2023-24 the CSU website, while tuition at the University of California costs $14,436 per year for undergraduate students, according to the UC website.
Sarab Multani, public health junior and San José State A.S. President, said it was both intentional and irresponsible of the trustees to allow this meeting to happen in the first two weeks of school.
“I leave the trustees with one question,” Multani said. “Will you be on the side of history that actually took the time to rightfully compromise with the student body and move this forward in November, or will you be on the side of history that neglected our voices, rushed the decision, and changed the CSU system negatively forever?”
The CSU Board of Trustees also discussed and voted on the 2024-2025 operating budget plan and the multi-year tuition proposal.
According to the 2024-25 CSU operating budget plan, the CSU proposes an $8.7 billion operating budget for 2024-25, with $5.4 billion from the state General Fund and $3.3 billion from tuition and fee revenue. The budget plan is an increase of $557.4 million over 2023-24.
Ryan Storm, CSU assistant vice chancellor, said the approval of the multi-year tuition proposal and the operating budget plan are critically important to placing the university’s fiscal footing on solid ground.
“This is to ensure that a balance will occur between raising the appropriate levels of revenue to meet budget priorities, and to continue to provide accessible and affordable education to California residents,” Storm said.
Storm said the additional revenue is necessary to pay for existing programs, services, priorities, and state and federal mandates.
“Additional revenue received from a tuition increase will be invested in budget priorities that reflect the values and mission of the university,” he said.
Storm said these priorities include having increased funding for the State University Grant program, basic needs, academic and student services support and mental health services.
He also said Title IX implementation, infrastructure, and compensation to attract and retain faculty and staff are also part of these priorities.
Board of Trustee member Lillian Kimbell said there were two options for handling the current CSU financial situation of a $1.5 billion deficit.
“The options are cutting services, which will affect all our students, otherwise a graduated and predictable tuition increase, which we are discussing today,” Kimbell said.
Kimbell said ultimately she was going to vote in favor of the tuition increase.
“I understand it is going to be hurting a substantial amount of people, and they will feel financial pain,” Kimbell said. “I just don’t think there is any other option.”
Board of Trustee member Leslie Gilbert-Lurie said she reluctantly supports raising tuition, since she does not feel there is a solution to the deficit.
“In all of the people who have spoken with us and said find another way, I haven’t heard one suggestion of another way,” Gilbert-Lurie said.
