Protest over tuition hikes shuts down UC Santa Cruz

By Henry K. Lee

All entrances to UC Santa Cruz were blocked Thursday morning by protesters as part of an ongoing demonstration against tuition hikes, and university officials were advising people not to come to campus.

The protest began at 4:30 a.m. when students and other protesters blocked the west entrance to campus. Protesters soon showed up at the main gate, prompting university officials issued an advisory at 5:30 a.m.

On Tuesday, a group of UC Santa Cruz students chained themselves to each other and shut down Highway 1 near the campus for several hours. Police used tools including a jackhammer to remove the students.

In November, UC President Janet Napolitano asked the UC Board of Regents to raise tuition by up to 28 percent over five years. But last month, Napolitano said she would delay the hikes until after the summer as negotiations with Gov. Jerry Brown continue.

In a statement Thursday, UC Santa Cruz student Ben Mabie, 22, said the protests are necessary “because only a pattern of disruption and insubordination will force the hand of the regents and the politicians.”

[Source]: SF Gate