University of California schools could soon limit the number of students they enroll from out of state.
The UC Board of Regents debated the issue Thursday.
While non-residents bring in more tuition dollars, state lawmakers want to make room for students from California.
Last year, state lawmakers told the system to work out a non-resident enrollment policy, and threatened to hold back $18.5 million.
Now regents are weighing a 20 percent cap. That would halt out-of-state increases at campuses already above the limit like Berkeley, UCLA and San Diego. But out-of-state students help pay for instructors and financial aid for California students, says Faculty Representative James Chalfant.
“If undergraduates from California are benefiting from the presence of these students, don’t draw the line at 20 percent, it’s totally arbitrary,“ says Chalfant. “Please don’t draw it at a lower number.”
Chalfant and Regent Gareth Elliott both argued passing a hasty plan could create more trouble for the system in years to come.
“I don’t know why this is before us,“ says Elliot. “It sounds to me from speaker after speaker that folks don’t want a policy.”
UC President Janet Napolitano told the board she expects to act on a proposal in May.
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