California’s failed state has successfully pissed off the one group with the free time to do something about it. Or at least the group most willing to go on a rampage. This was a planned protest across the UC system with the support and participation of hundreds of professors and other faculty. The protest at UCLA is obviously getting out of hand in the video, but what do you expect from a congregation of rightfully angry college students.
They voted to pass a 32% tuition hike. Effective winter semester tuition will increase by $500 and over time the tuition will increase the entire 32%. There was also a much bigger demonstration on the first day of classes when most of the school walked out of classes. There is also another protest planned for today. No word as to it’s status due to the arrests.
The regents had to vote to pass this hike due to the nearly $15 billion in state funding for higher education that was cut by the budget passed by the State Assembly and Senators. Some might even ask “Why are you protesting at a Regent’s meeting? It’s not their fault. You should be protesting at Sacramento.” Which is a completely fair point. But then again, these are the ones responsible for making the budget. Some see it as though it as more laziness than greed. They couldn’t figure out where to make budget cuts, so they raised tuition.
The sick irony of it all is that value of the degree is in free fall, but there’s no question it’s still the basis for any professional career. Many of these students will eventually graduate and try to join the workforce and realize how tough it is to not only get a job in your field, but any job at all right now.
