LOS ANGELES--Five UC students were arrested at about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday before a key vote on a proposed student fee increase could be held by the UC Board of Regents Committee on Finance at UCLA.

The students protested the proposed 32 percent increase in student fees which will be voted on by the committee later in the day. The arrests followed a similar demonstration that led to the arrests of eight activists Wednesday morning.

Police escorted the five protesters out of the room and the meeting resumed after about 10 minutes of delay. The regents continued discussion on the proposed hike while students in the audience stood up with pumped fists in the air.

The beginning of Wednesday's full board meeting stalled for approximately half an hour following a tumultuous public comment period.

Approximately 20 UC police officers were sent into the meeting to disperse about 50 members of the public who came to the meeting to speak during the public comment period.

UC students, faculty and union members spoke out against a proposal for a 32 percent increase in student fees as well as staff furloughs and what speakers said were threats to minority representation in the 10 campus system.

Though most of the crowd left without incident, eight members, at least one of whom identified with the anti-budget cut activist group Solidarity Alliance, ignored a police warning and remained in the meeting, singing "We shall overcome."

Police arrested the eight protesters at approximately 10:30 a.m. after a final warning was issued.