California State University’s Board of Trustees approved a tentative 2008-09 budget that may result in a 10 percent increase in student fees.

According to the board’s agenda from its Nov. 14 meeting, the 2008-09 budget request of a total of $4.6 billion will consist of $3.2 billion from the State General Fund and $1.4 billion from student fee revenue.

The 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 Media Relations Specialist Paul Browning said that if CSU does receive the additional $73 million from the State General Fund, it will go toward the CSU general fund which is then disbursed to all campuses. Each campus then chooses where to allocate its funds.

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, an ex-officio member of the board, opposed the idea of raising student fees and urged the board against it, but was unsuccessful with his attempts.

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

Sacramento State undergraduate students taking more than 6 units pay a total of $1,779 per semester. With the provisional 10 percent increase, these students will have to pay an addition $177.90 for the Fall 2008 semester and all semesters thereafter.

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,” she said during the telephone conference.

“Students are paying more and actually getting less in terms of what they deserve.”

Some students are not happy with the proposed fee hike.

“(The CSU) keeps trying to raise fees and I’m not sure why,” said Marti Gonzalez, junior graphic design major.

“Don’t they realize we’re college students? How am I supposed to pay another 10 percent? (This) shows that (the chancellor’s office) doesn’t put true emphasis on education, it’s all about the money.”

If the proposed 10 percent student fee hike does pass, a third of the funds from student fees will go toward student financial aid, Browning said.

Liz Morales, senior ethnic studies major, said she doesn’t know if there is any truth behind Browning’s statement.

“(CSU) said the same thing last year but I have not seen any difference in my financial aid….I actually receive less money now,” she said.

As for where she would like to see the money go, Morales said funds should go to “adding more classes and bringing more resources to students.”

CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed said the final fee decision by the board is not due until March, but that CSU students should be aware of the possibility of a fee increase.

Princess Garnace can be reached at [email protected].