For all of you who have not heard of the student protest at the University of California in Berkley and Santa Cruz California, here are the facts.  Last week’s decision by the University of California’s Board of Regentsto raise undergraduate fees by 32 percent sparked protests with people taking over buildings Friday on the Berkeley and Santa Cruz campuses. Carly Fiorina, who is seeking to become the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the increase in fees was “an outrage.”

At UC Santa Cruz, Provost David Kliger said a group comprised of dozens of students was blocking exits at Kerr Hall, which houses science departments and administrative offices.

Kliger said he would not consider the students' demands until they cleared the obstructions.

"We are all concerned about fee increases and the impacts of $50 million in state budget cuts to our campus. Unfortunately, occupying buildings ... does little more than divert precious resources while denying others their rightful access to campus facilities and services," Kliger said.

Undergraduate student fees will increase by more than $2,500, or 32 percent, by the 2010-11 school year, with some increases taking effect next spring.

Regents said they had to raise fees because the cash-strapped state government can't meet the university's funding needs.

Protests over the fee hikes have taken place all week at UC campuses across the state by students and university union members sympathetic with their fight.

OK, we have seen student protests before, this is nothing new. But now the students are rebelling against high tuition because of the effect it will have on their personal finances.  Let's be clear about this, State schools provide an educational experience at less than one quarter to one half of private schools. The tuition is subsidized in great part by revenue from various sources, including sales, income, corportate etc. And it is possible and probable that many colleges turn a profit on their sports programs too which helps to subsidize tuition.

Back to the private colleges and their exorbitant charges for tuition when compared to the state colleges; the average tuition is in the neighborhood of $15,000 to $20,000. If one looks into this a little more closely, one finds that overhead, not teachers salaries account for the majority of the expense; administrators, clerks, compliance mandates, ground upkeep etc do not add to the educating of students, they only increase the cost. 

We are bringing this to your attention because the students in California highlighted a condition that exists nationally; skyrocketing educational expenses. Not only do college students pay for college but then when graduation comes they then have to worry about paying back their student loans.  This is not a pleasant scenario.  Although we agree with the state student protest in part, they must realize the benefit of getting an education on the cheap because of subsidization by the state. 

We at TNBTP propose a strike by students attending Private Colleges.  Yes college students go on strike, sit out one year, shut down your private college. What effect will this have? Wait and see your college cut tuition costs by 25% to 50%. You don't think this can happen. It can. When the schools find out that the freshman class next year will be zero, they will drop the tuition just as quick as the sitout spreads. They have no choice, is is imperative that they fill up empty seats, empty classrooms gather moss and overhead must be paid.  Try it!  You can make a difference.  Start a Tea Party at your private college.