Pierce College student with protest sign. Photo courtesy of college's Facebook page.

WOODLAND HILLS—On October 26, about 150 students at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, along with faculty and activists from various community colleges, protested against the increasing cost of attending the school, or more specifically, a $10 increase per unit in tuition.

According to reports, speeches were made by way of megaphone in Rocky Young Park, where signs were passed out among the growing crowd. After the speeches, the gathering of protesters began a march through the school’s Mason Avenue gate onto Victory Boulevard. They reconvened about a quarter-mile east, where it was explained that the permit for the demonstration had expired. As a result, the students returned to their classes.

The hike in fees comes as a result of cuts that were made in the state budget signed by Governor Jerry Brown at the end of June, reducing community college funding by 8 percent, or about $400 million.

In response to the rising fees, Pierce College made available on its website a breakdown explaining how fees are calculated in California’s 112 community colleges. The breakdown explained that fees are put in place by the California state legislature, not the colleges themselves.

Student fee graph courtesy of Pierce College.

It went on to explain that although the rates per unit have increased to $36, equating to around $1,000 per year for a full-time student, it is still the cheapest in the nation.

The fee increase will not, however, have any impact on students who are in need and do not pay fees. Students attending classes two-thirds to full-time have their tuition covered by Board of Governors (BOG) Fee waivers supplied by the state.

It was also noted that even with all the controversy, tuition could increase another $10 to $46 per unit next summer if projections in the governor’s budget are not met.

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