Editorial: ASUCLA must make better case for $48 fee increase

The Associated Students of UCLA annual fee is currently $7.50 a
year. And while an increase is warranted, ASUCLA must be more clear
in justifying a probable $48 hike over the next five years.

The association is currently considering a proposal to raise
student fees each year through 2010 until they reach $55.50. After
that, there will be occasional increases to keep up with
inflation.

Though the current fee is even lower than the $12 fee initially
approved in 1958, it remains unclear how this permanent influx of
new money will ultimately shape the future of ASUCLA.

Some of the funding is earmarked to improve student programming
and employee wages, but most will be used for various upgrades and
the construction of restaurants.

Why ASUCLA must subsidize what should be lucrative businesses
with student fees is still a mystery.

Before the end of this year, students will likely vote on a
referendum to approve the new fee plan. If ASUCLA can’t prove
its case, beyond making the student body feel guilty about our
extremely low fees, students will be hard-pressed to vote yes.