The decline of higher education hits close to home

  Fifty years ago California became the first state in U.S. history to promise an affordable college education for its young people. 
   Today the golden state is faltering under the weight of a near $20 billion deficit, and the hope for a reasonably priced public education is rapidly slipping through the grasp of most of California’s college-age citizens. 
   When the master plan was first signed into law by Gov. Edmund G. Brown in April of 1960, it promised modest fees and turned the once-competing public colleges and universities into a singularly coherent system. 
   In the early 1960s the University of California system charged $147 a year. This fall UC tuition will be more than $11,287, a cost that keeps many students from attending the state’s elite and respected academic institution.
   Cal State’s 2010-11 fees have not been finalized, but since 2003 the fees have climbed to $4,893. 
   For more than two decades community colleges were free to all students. 
    “California Community Colleges did not have student tuition fees until 1984,” said Peter Hardash, vice chancellor for business operations and fiscal services. “That was the year the legislature established an enrollment fee of $5 per unit for credit classes.” 
   Hardash also said that other fees such as parking and other services were established in the 1960s and 1970s. 
   Tuition rates at Santa Ana College have continued to increase over the last decade. 
   In 2010 it costs, on average, about $780 annually for a full-time student to attend a community college. This does not include costs such as books, supplies, parking and other essentials. 
   Fees could jump again to a record high of $40 per unit for fall semester 2010. 
   The possible tuition increase could add to an enrollment drop at community colleges. Enrollment at Santa Ana College fell by about 20 percent at SAC last year and more than 1 percent statewide. 
   “I would probably have to reduce the number of classes I take because I have to pay for my classes myself,” psychology major Yareli Cortez said.
   “I don’t think I will see the reduction or elimination of student fees during the remainder of my career,” said John Didion, executive vice chancellor of human resources and education resources.
   Many public officials say that the plan is no longer relevant and it is time to overhaul the mission of California’s higher education system.
   “I believe the master plan needs to be revised or be completely redone,” Didion said. 
   The master plan has been disintegrating for years, mostly as a result of the state’s rising population and decreased funding for higher education brought about by a number of tax laws and propositions. 
   One was 1978’s Proposition 13, which stalled the growth of state revenues and cut higher education funding in half with the stroke of a pen.
   “Before the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, community colleges, like elementary schools, were almost entirely funded by the local property taxes in each school district,” Didion said. 
   Community colleges served as the key component in the original plan, with general education classes, courses designed to upgrade skills, and programs for life-long learning. The state’s community colleges, the nation’s largest system of higher education, serves about 3 million students. 
   “When the master plan was done, we were not community colleges, we were junior colleges and our focus was on preparing students to transfer to the four-year universities,” said Didion. “Although transfer is still a key role for community colleges, our mission has expanded significantly in the last 50 years.” 
   Open enrollment at community colleges continues to be the state’s policy, but increased fees and reduced course offerings are likely to have a negative impact on future workers and state revenues.
   It is estimated that by 2025, California could face a shortfall of 1 million college graduates. 
   This could further jeopardize California’s long-term economy, according to Hans Johnson, associate director at the Public Policy Institute of California.