LOS ANGELES--The UC Board of Regents Committee on Finance approved a 32 percent increase in undergraduate student fees, effective fall 2010.

Student Regent Jesse Bernal was the sole dissenting vote against the move, which is expected to generate more than $250 million in revenue next year, according to university officials. The whole board is expected to approve the fee increase when it convenes Thursday.

Though the increase was approved, the committee meeting was delayed twice due to protests from members in the audience. Five were arrested during the first disruption and police ultimately declared an illegal assembly following the second action which came as regents prepared to vote on the proposed fee increase.

"This isn't about education, this is about a better quality of life," said one female student in the audience who could not be identified.

As regents retired to an adjoining room, audience members called them "cowards" and shouted that further public comment should be allowed before the vote. Police moved in and dispersed the crowd and the meeting resumed shortly after 12 p.m.

Disorder also was present outside the meeting where approximately 200 students demonstrated against the fee increase. According to UC spokesperson Lynn Tierney, no arrests have been made outside.

Tags: NOVEMBER STRIKE, UC BOARD OF REGENTS, BUDGET CUTS, STUDENT FEE INCREASES