Tuition is going up this fall at California State University. Again.
Today trustees approved a 12 percent increase that comes on top of a 10 percent increase approved last year. Combined, the two increases bring undergraduate tuition at CSU's 23 campuses to $5,472 a year. That's an increase of about 23 percent compared with last year, and does not include campus-based fees that average $950 a year.
The tuition increase is a direct response to the state budget approved last month, which cuts state funding to CSU by $650 million, or about 24 percent compared with last year.
"The enormous reduction to our state funding has left us with no other choice if we are to maintain quality and access to the CSU," Chancellor Charles B. Reed said in a statement. "We will focus on serving our current students by offering as many classes and course sections as possible. We will also be able to open enrollment for the spring 2012 term, which is critical for our community college transfer students."
The full board of trustees voted 13-2 for the tuition increase, with student trustee Steve Dixon and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom opposing.
"We must invest in higher education and we can no longer allow the Legislature to get off the hook," Dixon said.
UPDATED 3:35 p.m. with final vote of full board
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