The string of Editorial Writers today conclusively prove that the rise in Out-Of-State Tuition is politically cynical and horribly timed: pity the poor parent stuck with the extra bills having already committed to Cal.

But I don't see the evidence that this wasn't the best way available to balance the budget. A budget shortfall has to be dealt with one way or another, and perhaps the approach of stiffing a few out-of-towners and outreach programs is the best way to do it. The alternative would've been a general tuition increase, which would've raised even more hell.

Data we're not seeing: does out-of-state tuition exceed the cost paid by Californians, who pay in-state tuition plus taxes? How does their tuition compare to most out-of-state deals or private Universities? And most of all, what else could've happened to make up the deficit? Email This Post!