By Hemesh Patel
Daily Bruin Reporter
In order to meet rising costs due to inflation, universities
around the country are increasing their fees ““ but some
schools, including UCLA, are not raising those fees.
The College Board reported Monday that the schools in the
University of California system went against this nationwide trend
for the sixth consecutive year. The board also reported that a
record $68 billion was available for financial aid nationwide.
The College Board surveyed public, private, four-year and
two-year institutions in their study.
“I think the university will bend every effort to keep
costs down and keep a university education as inexpensive as
possible,” said UC spokesman Chuck McFadden.
He added that the UC can afford not to increase fees because of
aid from Gov. Gray Davis and the state budget.
“The College Board figures point to the fact that the UC
continues to provide a superior education at extremely low
fees,” said UC President Richard Atkinson in a statement.
“This is because of the generosity of the government, the
legislature and the people of California.”
Each year, the UC Office of the President puts together a budget
proposal for the governor, which includes a request for a fee
increase of about 4 to 4.5 percent, said Debbie Davis, chair of the
UC Student Association.
“But every year, the legislature buys out the fee increase
““ the governor gives enough money to equal the amount
requested by the office of the president,” she said.
According to the survey, the cost of college fees and tuition
went up by as much as 5.2 percent at four-year schools nationwide
this year.
The College Board is looking at this increase in fees with an
optimistic attitude.
“This means that a college education is still well within
the grasp of all Americans,” said Gaston Caperton, president
of the College Board, in a statement.
Aside from the board’s report, the National Association of
State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges found that eight other
schools also went against the trend and did not raise their fees or
tuition.
California State University, State University of New York and
the University of Oregon were among those who bucked the trend
along with the UC system.
The report also totalled the amount of money universities
reserved for financial aid.
The College Board found that a record $68 billion was available
last year ““ an increase of 4 percent over last year.
“Over the decades, the increased support for student
financial aid reflects some of the wisest investments our national
leaders have made,” Caperton said in the statement.
McFadden said he doesn’t see a connection between the
increase in fees and an increase in the amount of money
universities allocate towards financial aid.
“But, it would be interesting if someone did a study on
it,” he added.
Other officials expect to see an increase in financial aid with
an increase in fees.
“When fees are increased, its not surprising that
financial aid increases,” Davis said.
AVERAGE FIXED CHARGES FOR UNDERGRADUATES Â
2000-2001 1999-2000 % Change 2 yr Public 1705 1649 +3.4 2 yr
Private 7458 6968 +7.0 4 yr Public 3510 3362 +4.4 4 yr Private
16332 15518 +5.2 UCLA 3698
3698 0 SOURCE: College Board
& Registrar’s Office Original graphic by VICTOR CHEN Web
adaptation by BRYANT HUANG