The University of California Board of Regents approved raising undergraduate fees by 32 percent Thursday. The fee increase be in place by next fall. The increase amounts to about $2,500 and will come in two steps. That would bring the basic UC education fees to about $10,300 -- plus about another $1,000 for campus-based charges. Books, and room and board would add even more costs for the typical student.

“The impact on the University of California campuses has been dramatic: faculty hiring is not keeping up with enrollment demand, and many course sections have been eliminated. Instructional budgets are being reduced by $139 million, with 1,900 employees laid off, 3,800 positions eliminated and hiring deferred for nearly 1,600 positions, most of them faculty.” via The New York Times

Students and faculty members launched a three-day walkout on Wednesday to protest against the 32 % increase. Despite all the walkouts and protests,  the Board still approved the fee increase.

UCLA’s walkouts turned violent. Fourteen protesters were arrested, two students and several police officers sustained minor injuries, and one student was tasered.  Check out this video of UCLA protests:
 

To help students who cannot afford the increasing fees, the Regents were also expected to approve the expansion of the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, aimed at undergraduates whose family income is below $70,000.

Denise Tejada was on the UC Berkeley campus on the first day of protests talking to students. Check out her video and see how students are coping with the financial strain of paying for their education.