Cal State readies for more fees and cuts if tax measure fails

A new quarter is just getting started at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus.

As usual, students there are worried about higher fees — especially after a 9.6 percent tuition increase that just kicked in.

“I’ll keep working part-time to pay whatever little I can. I had to pull out loans so it’s scary when I graduate,” said Monique Oganesian, a transfer student.

Cal State trustees say they plan to roll back the tuition hike if Prop 30 passes in November.

Prop 30 is Governor Brown’s tax initiative to help fund education.

But if the tax measure fails, the CSU system will take a $250 million hit.

That means there would be an additional 5 percent tuition increase, along with other budget cuts.

“Probably doing away with summer school. We’ve talked about tuition increases, definitely class size increases, no pay raises — the list goes on,” said Dean Fred Jandt.

That list includes reduced enrollment. As for students hoping to be accepted to CSU, they’re being told there may not be room and that their applications are on hold until after the election.

“All I and any university employee can do is tell you factual information. This is what will happen. We don’t know yet,” said Jandt.

Opponents of Prop 30 argue it will mean more taxes without education reform or a guarantee the money will get to the classroom.