Editorial: Regents’ decisions are a step forward

Members of the UC Board of Regents finally decided to take a principled stand to address our skyrocketing student fees.

We thank them, and applaud them for their effort.

It has historically been this board’s contention that moderate increases in student fees can be justified in order to maintain the quality of our education.

That’s no longer the case. Lately, it seems like the threats to increase fees have come coupled with fewer classes, less money for student services, and cutbacks almost everywhere.

It seemed for a long time that the Regents were dumping the brunt of the budget crisis on the backs of students, and at the same time, enrolling even more people, further exacerbating the problem.

Our fees are going up, but the quality of our education is slipping.

Freezing fees and enrolling fewer students until the state decides to give us more money is the only sensible option.

If the state cannot give the UC the necessary funds it needs to maintain itself as a world-class institution and serve the taxpayers, we need to cut back on that public service.

Hopefully this will put enough pressure on the legislature to increase our budget.

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