But enough math. Is this cause for alarm? Students across California are already upset over supposed lack of government interest and investment in higher education. The budget situation is indeed unfortunate, but despite the increases in the last two years, California’s community college students are much better off than their out-of-state counterparts. Community colleges in states bordering our own have fees ranging from $42 in Nevada to $76 in Oregon. Unit fees here in California no longer seem as bad, do they?

If we were to zoom out further, to an even bigger picture, community colleges are still much more affordable than four-year universities. A year of classes at a California community college would run the average student $864, not including the price of textbooks (which, let’s face it, is a completely different issue). A year of classes at a state university is nearly five times as much, which again doesn’t include the price of books and housing for out-of-towners.

As community college students, we need to understand that there is no easy way to repair the state’s overburdened budget. There’s no button the governor can press to make everything better. We must find more effective ways to tell lawmakers that education matters. We should channel our determination, energy, and in some cases, rage into something positive. Anybody can pick up a poster board and some markers and create a clever sign that they’ll use to vent, but how constructive is that?

Call or write your local legislator and student government representative. Flood their e-mail boxes and answering machines with possible solutions instead of your frustrations. Excel in your classes and show legislators that community colleges work and actually matter. After all, it’s probably not the best idea to skip class to attend a protest of education cuts.

Most of all, make your time in college count.

Related posts:

1. Lawmakers reckless in raising student fees
2. Editorial
3. Fee hike looms

City College students wait in line to register for classes on Monday, August 23, 2010, the first day of the fall semester. Photo by Vincent Fernandezvfernandz@gmail.com

City College students are now dropped within a day of not paying course fees because of a stricter enforcement of the admissions policy

“It gives a chance to students who really want to take a class to get in,” said Admissions and Records Supervisor Kim Goff. “It also gets students to pay fees at a reasonable time.”

Goff said that the Los Rios policy hasn’t changed from previous semesters but it will be enforced more rigorously than before.

Go to www.losrios.edu/lrc/feepay2010.php to read the enrollment policy.

Related posts:

1. District limits the number of course repetitions for students
2. You’ve got to pay to stay
3. Wait-list limbo

Sacramento City College students faced a $26-per-unit fee this semester, up
from $20 per unit in the spring.

The increase comes as state funding is being cut for community colleges.

Here is what students had to say:

Rebekah Sexton

If Sacramento City College student Rebekah Sexton, 29, didn’t have her federal Pell Grant and California’s Board of Governors fee waiver, high college costs would ruin plans for the psychology major from Garden Valley.

“With nine units I would be paying over $200, just for classes,” Sexton said. “That would make a difference, and a lot of people can’t afford it.”

Sexton is a new mother easing into full-time status with online classes to finish up her associate degree.

With any delays, she added, come missed opportunities and a job market that may not wait.

“I would have to take less classes,” Sexton worried. “I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel —- so many people need degrees to get jobs.”

- Express staff writer Charlene Jones

“It is hard to stay on top of it all,” the 36-year-old musician said.

“Right now I am paying for school with loans and grants, so I am not feeling the effects of it yet, but I will be when I have to pay them back,” Garcia said. “I don’t think I will be financially free even after graduating.”

Garcia is no stranger to tuition hikes and the effects of college budget cuts. He is a displaced California State University, Sacramento student because of filing late for student aid.

“Even though I am not paying for it out of pocket right now, I get more into debt,” said Garcia, as he calculates the cost for 12 units at $413 —- not including books or additional student fees.

“Who can afford that? I sure the hell can’t.”

– Express staff writer Eydie Mendoza

Jennifer Saechao

Sacramento City College student Jennifer Saechao finds relief from a government-issued fee waiver during a time when most are struggling due to the $6-per-unit increase.

“The unit increase didn’t affect me because I had the (Board of Governors) fee waiver,” Saechao said, “But I still had to buy all of my books, which sucked big time.”

Although Saechao was not directly affected by the unit increase, she fears that in years to come the Waivers will deplete and she will be left scraping for cash just like the rest of her fellow students here on campus.

“I don’t know how the others do it because my family could barely afford the books, let alone my tuition” she said.

Saechao describes how thankful she and her family were when they found out they qualified for this government help. This waiver is saving many students a great deal of money, which, in the end, is keeping them in school.

- Express staff writer Lauren Reuthinger

“Well, I can understand the cost of living going up,” she said.

Ransom is a cosmetology student who is working in the Learning Resource Center Library for a third year.

“Fortunately I don’t have to pay for it,” she added. “I qualify for the (Board of Governors) waiver.”

- Express staff writer Rob Small

Israel Lopez

While many students are scrambling to get money to cover the $6-per-unit fee increase, Israel Lopez, 19, isn’t worried about it.

“I’m on (Board of Governors) fee waivers, so it doesn’t entirely apply to me,” Lopez said.

The second-year art major, who also freelances as a 3-D animator, realizes that something has to give.

“The reason is clear for the increases — it’s the economic downturn.”

- Express sports editor Terri M. Venesio

With the fee increase being relatively small, especially when compared with much higher college fees in other states, some students don’t even notice the difference.

“It doesn’t affect me at all,” said 19-year-old City College football player Andrew Watkins, who said his fees are all paid for through football scholarships and financial aid.

- Express news editor Luke Otterstad

“It’s better than going to a university out of state,” said Charles Gipson, 20. “It’s cheaper here.”

Gipson, who has experienced the difference in fees at a university, said the community college prices are helpful in today’s economy.

“It hasn’t affected me, it helps keep more money in your pocket during these hard times.”

- Express staff writer Yana Kulinich

Related posts:

1. Fee increase of $10 per unit postponed till summer 2012
2. Fee hike looms
3. Fee hike becomes reality for Los Rios students