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California’s two public university systems—the University of California and the California State University—are asking the state legislature in Sacramento for more state funds in the midst of budget crises and increased costs. University of California President Mark Yudof said the 10-campus system needs a $913 million increase in state appropriations for next year. California State University Chancellor Charles B. Reed is also recommending a push for more state funding, saying an increase of $884 million is needed for next year.

Yudof also recently published a report asking for increased federal financial support of public higher education—“Exploring a New Role for Federal Government in Higher Education.”

To make up some of the budget deficit, the UC system’s Board of Regents is looking at a possible 32 percent increase in student fees, to be deliberated and voted on at UCLA on Nov. 18 and 19. UC Student Regent Jesse Bernal, a graduate student at UC-Irvine, has vowed to speak out against the fee hike.

The proposal prompted a wave of semester-long protests, walk-outs, and press meetings by students and faculty. On Sept. 24, over 5,000 people gathered on UC campuses across California to express their frustration with the system’s handling of its financial state.

More than 1,000 students and faculty went to UCLA Tuesday for what is expected to be two days of protests, saying the fee increase is not the only issue. The Board of Regents is also expected to cut jobs for professors and support staff.

Thousands are also expected to gather in Sproul Plaza on the UC-Berkeley campus Nov. 18.

More from the Sacramento Bee
More from the New University at University of California-Irvine
More info from NBC – Los Angeles
More from the Chronicle of Higher Education