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College Affordability Act (CAA) of 2009 Campaign

Campaign Background:

In recent years, state investment in the UC & CSU has plummeted dangerously and fee increases have been the response of higher education administrators looking to make up the revenue somewhere. Both UC and CSU fees have more than doubled since 2001 and this year students in each system are facing another 10% in fee hikes, that means another $800/year for UC students and $300/ year for CSU students. Simply put, rising fees make it harder for low and middle income students and families to afford college. Fee hikes are exactly the wrong thing to do during an economic crisis. A recent study by the Public Policy Institute of California found that cost is the number one concern for parents around higher education, with 72% of parents concerned about their ability to afford a college education for their children.

Goal:

This spring UCSA is working in partnership with the Greenlining Institute and the California State Student Association to pass AB 462 (Price), the College Affordability Act that will:

• Freeze tuition for 5 years for resident undergraduate students at the UC and CSU
• Prohibit fees from being increased by more than the California Consumer Price Index (about 3%) after the 5 year freeze
• Raise up to $730 million/year in new revenue specifically for the cost of educating UC and CSU student through a 1% tax on millionaires' income over $1 million

Check out our action center to find the most current way you can take action on the CAA

Organizer's Materials

• CAA Organizing Manual
• CAA PowerPoint:A great tool to help you explain the state's divestment from the UC and the CAA as a solution
• Student of Color Recruitment & Retention Factsheet: Explains how the State's budget cuts disproportionately impact students of color
• CAA Sample Rap: A quick blurb for when you want to educate someone about the state's divestment from the UC and the CAA as a solution
• CAA Sample Student Government Resolution
• CAA Postcard
• UCSA Lobby Visit Report Form

**Also, check out our Organizing Tools page for more helpful tools to help you put use grassroots power on your campus**