BERKELEY Calif.
California State University trustees have tentatively approved a budget for next year that could mean higher student fees.
Trustees haven’t taken a formal vote on fees and won’t until next year. But a budget proposal for 2008-09 approved by the board’s finance committee Tuesday includes the possibility of a fee hike unless the state provides more funding.
The approval came over the objections of Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who is also a trustee. He urged the board, meeting in Long Beach, not to leave the door open for a fee hike.
“It’s time for trustees and this institution to take a different tack, instead of assuming that student fees will continue to be increased,” he said.
Leaders of the state’s other public university system, the University of California, were scheduled to take a similar step Wednesday with consideration of a budget request that includes a potential fee hike unless there is extra funding.
Garamendi, who is also a member of the UC governing board, is proposing capping fees there, too. As at CSU, UC leaders are not expected to formally vote on fees until next year.
