Santa Monica College Students Fight Two-Tier Fee Hikes

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Santa Monica College students hope the world is watching their battle against a controversial new tuition system.

Today, about 50 students marched to College President Chui Tseng's office.

The event was peaceful, but on Tuesday night, protesting didn't end well for freshman Kayleigh Wade and about 30 of her classmates, who tried to go to the Board of Trustees meeting.

"They opened the door to let some students in, and it was a joint decision that we would all attempt to go in," Wade said. "But they took that as combative behavior by us. And they pepper-sprayed us."

Santa Monica College Public Information Officer Bruce Smith responded.

"There was one discharge of pepper spray used by a Santa Monica College police officer to preserve public and personal safety," Smith said. "Unfortunately, a number of bystanders, including college staff, students and other police officers were affected."

What students are angry about is a two-tiered tuition system. It's a summer pilot program that would charge students extra money to guarantee spaces in some of the college's most crowded classes.

"With the community college system being a cornerstone of education, as a tool for impoverished families for the next generation to come out of poverty, lift themselves up and lift their community up," said first-year student Donald Gray. "When you begin a two-tiered program, when you give priority to the affluent, it creates a system and a society which is not going to be able to sustain itself in the future."

Yesterday, California Community College Chancellor Jack Scott asked President Tseng to put the program on hold.

Santa Monica College and the State Attorney General's office are both reviewing the policy.

However, "No decisions have been made at this point," Smith said. "At this point we're moving ahead with the program for the summer."

Even after Kayleigh Wade's confrontation with police, she says students will continue to fight the fee hike.

"Santa Monica College is seen as this progressive, liberal, diverse campus, you know? And a lot of community colleges look to us. This decision would affect every community college, because every community college would be like yeah, that's a good idea," Wade said. "And a community college is supposed to be something that's an equal opportunity for everyone."

Students certainly haven't won the war against rising college fees. But in Santa Monica, they're determined to win this battle.