Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Bill Passes Assembly Floor
SACRAMENTO—Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 970 by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and Assemblymember Marty Block (D-San Diego) passed the Assembly Floor with a 51-23 vote. Sponsored by the California State Student Association (CSSA) and the University of California Student Association (UCSA), AB 970 creates the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act to address the growing concerns regarding student fees at our public institutions of higher learning. Fees have increased at a rapid pace with little advance public notice, minimal consultation, and little to no transparency and accountability.
“This Act establishes a statewide student fee policy that will create a partnership and improve communication between the UC and CSU, students, the public, and the Legislature to ensure that student fee increases are discussed in an open and public forum,” said Assemblymember Fong. “This bill allows the state and both the UC and CSU, an opportunity to be transparent and accountable as it relates to the need for and uses of student fees.”
“Fifty years ago, the Master Plan for Higher Education promised affordable education for all Californians. We recognize that sometimes circumstances exist that require additional fees. AB 970 assures that students will have notice of any fee increase and the opportunity to weigh in on proposals,” said Assemblymember Block, Chair of the Committee on Higher Education. “Furthermore, AB 970 mandates that the UC and CSU explain the need for proposed increases and the way in which additional fees are used, so that decisions for fee increases don’t happen behind closed doors.”
“Students and their families have struggled to afford the rapid rise and unpredictable nature of system-wide fees. If we cannot prevent fees from increasing, at the very least students and families should be given the opportunity to plan for the cost of education," said Gregory Washington, President of the California State Student Association.
“AB 970 is integral for giving students and their families substantial notice for student fee increases so we have a chance to plan for it, especially in this rough economy. I’m also glad we are taking a proactive approach to protecting financial aid grants funded by student fees, because thousands of students like me count on those grants to be able to afford the total cost of attending college, which is over $30,000 per year alone at a UC,” said Raquel S. Morales, UCSa's Legislative Committee Chair.
Student fees have skyrocketed at the UC and CSU – 68% in the past 3 years at UC, and 76% at the CSU in the same period, and both segments have seen increases over 200% in the past decade. While fees not appear “high” as compared to other states nationally, the total costs of attending a UC or CSU have risen faster than inflation.
The Act does not prohibit the UC and CSU from raising student fees, but ensures the process by which student fee increases are considered provides reasonable opportunities for students and the general public to be involved and for the process to be fully transparent.
Assemblymember Fong serves as Chair of the Elections and Redistricting Committee and is a member of the Higher Education, Utilities and Commerce, and Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committees. In addition, Assemblymember Fong serves as Chair of the Select Committees on High Technology and Climate Change and Coastal Protection and is a member of the Select Committees on Biotechnology, Career Technical Education and Workforce Development, Community Colleges, Government Efficiency, Technology and Innovation, Homelessness, Job Creation for the New Economy and Regional Strategies for the Green Economy. He represents Cupertino, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose.
CONTACT: Bryan C. Singh (916) 319-2022
