Californians are split on many issues involving the University of California system. Next fall the system plans to cap the number of out-of-state students accepted next year at both UCLA and UC Berkeley and hope to increase tuition to compensate for the inflating cost of numerous areas at the campuses. Californians seem to be all for capping the number of out of state students because they feel that California residents that subsequently lose their acceptance to UC schools are being short changed. However, these out-of-state residents pay more over $22,000, which actually is paying for part of their education. The only way that the universities could have adequate funds would be to either increase in-state-tuition from about $12,350 to $15,000 while also increasing out-of-state tuition by 5%, or increase out-of-state tuition from $38,000 to nearly $44,000 over the next five years. Note that this is only the price of tuition and completely excludes other expenses such as room and board.
Unfortunately, it looks like the second option is more favorable in the public opinion. Californians would rather not pay more for their education when it could be funded by out-of-staters. To me this is rather troublesome. I don't think that is fair that the tuition gap is so large residents and nonresidents. I understand that since Californians and their parents have been paying taxes to that stay--probably their entire lives in some cases--deserve to have a lower cost of tuition, but it is completely ridiculous to charge three times the amount to out-of-state students. As for the caps on nonresidents, more Californians should be accepted that nonresidents, but I don't think it is fair to accuse out-of-state students for "stealing spots" from residents. Campuses like UCLA and Berkeley strive to create diverse campuses and nonresidents add to that diversity. Not to mention, the general public probably fails to see or just doesn't care that many students that may attend California institutions probably end-up becoming residents down the road. Not only would they be residents, but they'd be educated residents...just saying...
http://www.businessinsider.com/r-university-of-california-to-cap-out-of-state-enrollment-at-berkeley-ucla-2015-3
Ashley has a point in that the out-of-state students that attend California schools are most likely to become residents down the line, which will benefit their economy by providing educated workers. Also, I think it is a little bit snobby to put a cap on how many out-of-state students are accepted. Each student, no matter where they reside, should have an equal opportunity to attend the school they desire.
ReplyDeleteI agree.. I don't think out-of-state students should be accused of "stealing spots". Those out-of-state students are completely paying their share, and if they're willing to pay the ridiculous amount over in-state kids, they should be allowed to do so. I'm surprised the UC system wants to limit the number of people that are actually paying for their school and include more people who pay less. Regardless, the gap between in-state and out-of-state is insane. Cali's got some stuff to figure out.
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