KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-UCSC Students Protest Over Proposed 32% Fee Hikes
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SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Angry students at UC Santa Cruz protest over another fee hike again.
The UC moved today a 32 percent fee hike over the next two years.
If you do the math, that's a $2,500 increase by 2010.
"Just that extra 32 percent that we have to pay is going to be so much harder."
19-year-old Elise Hempen is struggling to make her way through college. Already on her second year
at UC Santa Cruz, she doesn't think she can scrape by another fee increase.
"Now it's just going month to month trying to make it, my rent my bills and everything," says Hempen.
Hempen isn't alone. Many students like her are trying to make a difference in public education.
There was a busy scene that started at noon today.
Drums pounding, people holding up signs, and protesters talking in loud speakers.
Students blocked the campus entrances for 5 hours, all in an effort to show fee hikes are not
acceptable. Hours later, as many as 500 piled into a town hall on campus.
Students brought pillows, blankets and food, all prepared to stay as long as they can to come
up with a plan of action. Students say it's a statewide effort. They're hoping their voices can help change the board's mind.
Tomorrow at UCLA, the Board of Regency is expected to approve the 32 percent fee hike.
