The trouble with rising tuition and fees

During our fall break, the student newspaper at the University of California-Davis ran a report detailing a brand new effort by a group of students, parents and activists to place a statewide referendum on the 2008 ballot that among other things would restrict raises in mandatory student fees. Whether or not their proposals are politically viable, this grassroots effort is to be applauded.

The California Aggie reports that the group, known as Tuition Relief Now, is seeking a three-pronged approach to improving the financial situation of college students. First, it freezes mandatory student fees in California public colleges for five years and eliminates increases beyond the rate of inflation after that period. Second, it calls for administrators to be required to report exactly where money is being spent on campus. Finally, it calls for a new 1 percent tax on all California residents with annual incomes of more than $1 million.

Of course, many obstacles stand in its way. Aside from the more than 430,000 signatures needed just to get on the ballot, the initiative's proponents will also have to convince voters to pass it next year. This is no simple task even for professional politicos, let alone students. But this is an all too rare example of a notoriously apathetic group taking action and attempting to better its own futures. Others should take note.

Schools of higher education have been hurt all over America by decreases in state funding that make up the large part of their budgets. Administrators are then forced into the tough position of cutting back on their schools' offerings or asking students to pay greater and greater amounts in both tuition and fees every year to make ends meet. It's a tough problem with no easy solutions to be sure, but it will never be solved if those affected remain silent and merely accept the situation as the norm.

Regardless of whether the group's work will come to fruition, it should serve as a model for college students everywhere to get involved.

Students here at the University have an opportunity this afternoon to be heard about tuition and fees when Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Renee Romano, University Provost Linda Katehi and Student Trustee Chime Asonye host a Town Hall meeting in the Pine Lounge of the Illini Union at 4 p.m.

The state of Illinois is certainly no stranger to budget woes, but those looking for a more in-depth explanation of what it's going to cost to continue attending its flagship institution should attend and make their voices heard. Who knows, perhaps the seed of a movement similar to California will be planted here.