USAC heads in right direction with fees

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 Edward Chiao

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At a time when money is tight and students continue to suffer
the extensive financial demands of a college education, it is
encouraging to see the Undergraduate Students Association Council
take action in the best interests of the student body. In reaction
to recent discussion by the UC Regents about raising student fees,
USAC has issued a resolution in opposition to such a potentially
harmful action.

No matter how badly California’s economic hardships affect
the university, it is imperative that the regents and state
officials remember the cost of being a student. “Fees”
are only a small part of the picture. Students also struggle to
make ends meet with costs for things like loans, housing, books,
transportation, health care, food and other basic necessities. To
add more weight atop student shoulders is to further hinder their
ability to pursue education.

The USAC resolution is an excellent starting point for a future
campaign against raising student fees. USAC should continue in this
direction by working with the University Student Association
Council that represents all nine UC campuses to lobby the regents
and prevent them from raising fees. In addition to this, USAC
should make an effort to cooperate with Herb Wesson, the
assemblyman who represents UCLA’s district in the California
state assembly, and who is also a regent by virtue of his position
as State Assembly Speaker.

But USAC cannot do all its work alone: students must also make
an effort to combat raised fees by showing support for their
student government.