Sacramento State Associated Students, Inc. will vote on legislation today that will oppose a possible 10 percent student fee increase for the 2008-09 school year.

Executive Vice President Miguel Cervantes wrote the legislation that “advocates to preserve the California State University as an affordable, equitable and an institution of quality.”

The CSU Board of Trustees has already approved a tentative budget of $4.6 billion for the 2008-09 academic year and would need to receive approximately $76 million from the state legislature.

Cervantes said that if the money is not received, an increase could follow.

He said the California State Student Association has already passed an anti-fee legislation, which is currently being replicated by a number of CSU campuses.

Cervantes said Sac State’s legislation differs from that of the CSSA’s in that it focuses only on Sac State students. He said he believes the board of trustees should get their money elsewhere.

“Ask the legislature for the money,” he said. “If they don’t give it to you, don’t ask for it from students.”

CSU Media Relations Specialist Paul Browning said he applauds the effort by students to secure their fees. He said though that the board of trustees is “between a rock in a hard place” because funding either comes from fees or the state legislature.

“We’re going to ask for the additional funds (from the legislature) and keep our fingers crossed.” Browning said.

Browning said the board of trustees is currently asking for $73 million.

“Even with the increase, (CSU fees) will probably be one of the best deals in the country,” he said.

Cervantes said he also plans on asking Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo for support.

Junior Biology major Huong Nguyen said she doesn’t think she would be able to afford an increase.

“This semester I had to pay two grand…if they keep raising the fees I won’t be able to come here,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen said she thinks ASI is doing what they can to prevent the increase.

“I think they’re doing an OK job…I don’t know if there’s anything they can do (to prevent it),” she said.

Andres Perez can be reached at [email protected].