The California State University Board of Trustees approved a tentative 2008-09 budget today that may result in a 10 percent student fee increase next year.

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, ex-officio member of the board, opposed the idea of raising student fees. He urged the board to be against the issue, but was unsuccessful.

“Prior to 1990, higher public education was almost entirely funded through the state resources of California. We’re now headed towards a system where the privatization of this system is now underway,” Garamendi said in a telephone conference today.

The cost of tuition will go up $340 from the average $3,400 per year.

President of the California Faculty Association Lillian Taiz said student fees are out of control.

“Students can’t get classes needed to graduate because of course cuts and at the same time, they see their student fees raised. Students are paying more and actually getting less in terms of what they deserve,” she said during the conference call.

CSU will need an estimated $73 million from state funding to prevent the student fee hike, but is unlikely to receive it, because the California budget does not have sufficient funds.

CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed said although the final fee decision by the board is not due until March, students of the CSU system should be aware of the possible fee increase.

Princess Garnace can be reached at [email protected].