According to this report in yesterday’s Washington Times, California’s university system is

considering charging students from wealthier families higher tuitions. The

surcharge would apply to more than one-third of the students at the state

schools. The report assesses the impact of the hikes on students from families

making more than $90,000 as well as those making more than $150,000. The initial

suggstion was to raise the cost by $1,000, but the university’s vice president for

the budget has suggested an increase of $3,000. The report noted that “Any

income cutoff is arbitrary,” and at least one Regent called the proposal “offensive,”

pointing out that wealthier residents already “pay more into the system in terms of

taxes.”

This discussion comes on the heels of a 25 percent tuition hike last week and a 10

percent increase back in December. Of course, the university, according to the

Times, “hadn’t raised fees in seven years.” Seven fat years . . .