UC OKs Fee Hike for Professional Schools

DAVIS—The UC Board of Regents approved a large fee hike for select professional schools yesterday, though some regents voiced strong concerns over a lack of affordability for prospective students.

The regents, who met for their regular meeting at UC Davis, voted to approve fee increases for certain professional schools, including UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and Boalt Hall School of Law, endorsing a three-year plan for fee hikes.

According to the regental item, total fees for Boalt will spike to $30,931 in 2008-09 and could reach $40,906 in 2010-11, up from $26,897 this year.

Total fees for the Haas graduate program will jump to $30,913 in the coming year and could hit $40,882 by 2010-11, up from this year’s $26,881.

While the 2008-09 fees were immediately approved, the fee hikes endorsed for the following two years could change based on the results of annual evaluations to be sent to the regents that will examine how the fee increases impact access and inclusion.

Some regents said the fee increases were necessary to maintain quality programs and to stay competitive with other high-ranking institutions.

“I think our core responsibility is to maintain the excellence of the university,” said Regent Russell Gould. “I will take action today because I think it’s in the best interest of the institution.”

The item passed through the board with a 13-5 vote, with Regents Frederick Ruiz, Eddie Island and Odessa Johnson and Student Regent Benjamin Allen and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi voting against the increases.

“(This item) clearly will slam the door on the people who most need this university,” Garamendi said.

Boalt Hall Dean Christopher Edley, Jr. said the fee increases were necessary steps to strengthen Boalt.

“In so many ways, this vote was critical to all of our plans in constructing Boalt,” Edley said.

UC Student Association President Oiyan Poon said the increases could cause difficulties for students, particularly those entering service positions who will not receive high salaries but who could face a heavy debt burden.

“How are we supposed to serve the state of California and contribute to society when we have six-figure loans?” Poon asked.

But Edley said that he does not believe the fees will hinder accessibility to the campus, pointing to loan forgiveness programs for students in public service fields and financial aid programs.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said that while fee increases are never welcome, they are necessary to maintain quality education.

“No one likes fee increases, including me. I think it’s unfortunate that they’re necessary,” Birgeneau said. “(But) all students want law schools and professional schools that are the best in the country. The deans concluded that this is the only way they can achieve that.”

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