Weenie Does Washington

“Amid loud student protests that roiled the UCLA campus, the UC Board of Regents this afternoon approved a 32% increase in student fees.

The fee hike of $2,500, or 32%, will come in two steps by next fall. That would bring the basic UC education fees to about $10,300, plus about another $1,000 for campus-based charges, for a total that would be about triple the UC cost a decade ago. Room, board and books can add another $16,000.”

California’s budget is a DISASTER and the shortfall the state needs to close is HUGE so I am not terribly surprised at this decision, but it still saddens me. Higher education should not be cost-prohibitive. Access & affordability (along with a great education, of course) should be the central tenet of a public university. What a set back for current & future UC students everywhere.

I don’t know why I’m so obsessed with student loan horror stories. Maybe a weird guilt from not having any students loans myself? A fear for my friends & peers who are scheduled to begin repayment around December, many of whom still do not have jobs?

And I truly believe any college that needs to advertise on television is a scam. End of story. Yeah I’m looking at you DeVry, University of Phoenix, Everest, ITT Tech, Bryman, Westwood… For-profit colleges sicken me - they prey on the poor and those who don’t know any better. They target the unemployed (airing commercial during the day time much?) and those who are just trying to do something good for themselves & their families. Until their graduation rates go up, subpar instruction actually teaches valuable skills, and mind-boggling tuition is lowered - or somebody tells me they are a for-profit university success and can show me they aren’t an exception - I will continue to hate hate hate for-profit schools.

From BusinessWeek: Another good/depressing article.