The Regents of the University of California voted on Wednesday to increase tuition 32%. In response many students have begun protesting. Students are currently occupying building in UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Santa Cruz, and an occupation at UC Davis was broken up last night after 52 protestors were arrested.
Tuition was increased at the beginning of the school year and will be increased more than $500 next term, and over $1000 at the beginning of next year. This does not include costs for fees, books, and housing. For a comparison, when the Chancellor of UC Davis (Linda Katehi) was a student in the University of California, she paid $234 per quarter. These tuition increases are being coupled with furloughts for staff & faculty, while the Chancellor is being paid some $500,000 a year, plus allowances and benefits.
I will try and keep this diary updated, apologize if this resembles a series of twitter updates rather than a well thought out diary.
This is the scene at Berkeley as of an hour ago:
http://www.youtube.com/...
The students continue to occupy at least part of Wheeler Hall. According to Twitter @DailyCal:
SWAT, BPD just formed a line in front of west side of wheeler and 200-300 students are rushing the lawn. #ucstrike
At UC Davis today, Mrak Hall - the main Administration Building - was closed today except for official business after protestors occupied that building last night.
I will update more when possible.
UPDATE:<</strong>strong> UC Davis Students have staged a sit in at Dutton Hall.
UPDATE2: From Twitter: We have a new way to protest -- less clothing -- as same as strippping the student body. Have some shame Regents
UPDATE3
Currently inside Dutton Hall with 150+ protestors. They are discussing a march on Sacramento. Seems no legislators are in Sacramento right now. No police here at the moment.
UPDATE4
Occupations at Berkeley and Davis are over. Unclear what is happening at Santa Cruz. Strategy Sessions planned for this weekend.
For more information on the student strike:
http://www.wiretapmag.org/...
http://trueslant.com/...