UC needs to keep - San Francisco Chronicle Editorial

The University of California's effort to offset higher student fees with an ambitious $1 billion fundraising drive for financial aid is both honorable and necessary. It is also a sad commentary on the extent to which the state has retreated in support of one of the world's finest systems of higher education. UC regents are expected to vote next month on a plan to increase undergraduate fees next fall by $2,514 - to $10,300. California has obviously veered a long way from its master plan of offering a low-cost quality college education to all. The state contribution now accounts for about 13 percent of the university's budget.