In my humble opinion # 1

Okay, here is a fact: On average, about two-thirds of bachelor's degree recipients borrow money, and their median debt is about $20,000 by graduation. Here is another one: California’s t public university and community college systems educate about one in eight full-time college students in the U.S. And here comes number three: The University of California system is considering fee increases of more than 30 percent by next year.
In what world would it make sense to increase tuition by 9 percent when the economy has gone down? Average tuition at four-year public colleges in the U.S. climbed 6.5 percent, or $429, to $7,020 this fall, according to an annual report from the College Board. However,, during the period covered by the report, consumer prices declined 2.1 percent. So the latest tuition increase at public colleges was closer to 9 percent in real terms. So instead of following Maryland and Missouri states’ example of freezing tuition, the state of California is encouraging double-digit increases.
As a San Jose State undergraduate student, currently paying over seven thousand dollars PER SEMESTER, I’m outraged. How are students not supposed to feel that college education is out of reach when very soon, only rich kids would be able to afford school. Because students have a lot more to worry about, from rising textbook costs to the expensive software and supplies most classes require. Then most teachers complain that students have jobs and choose to go to work over going to school. I hate my job but if it’s what pays for school then I’m going to do what I have to do. Because when tuition goes up again next semester, what are my choices? Get another job or move out on the streets maybe? I’ve even heard several girls say they are seriously considering stripping in order to make money for school. So are state legislators trying to test our limits, checking to see how far people are willing to go in order to financially provide for their education? In my humble opinion, what is happening is absurd.
As a comparison, in the UK, the maximum tuition fee amount that can be charged to EU students is £3,145 a year. In Ireland, students only pay a € 900 registration fee and the rest of their education is free. In France, all universities are public; none charges tuition fees; undergraduate enrolment charges are a tiny €165.