Public postsecondary education: mandatory systemwide resident student fee policy.

Existing law, known as the Donahoe Higher Education Act, provides for a public postsecondary education system in this state. This system consists of the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. Existing law authorizes these institutions to require that mandatory systemwide fees, among other fees, be paid by students at these institutions. The provisions of the Donahoe Higher Education Act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California act by resolution to make them applicable. This bill would add provisions to the act to express legislative findings and intent with respect to the process of setting student fee levels. The bill would provide that the Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of the California State University bear the primary responsibility for adjusting mandatory systemwide resident student fees at their respective systems. The bill would also add provisions to the act to require these universities to develop methodologies for the adjustment of fees in accordance with a prescribed procedure. The bill would require the California Postsecondary Education Commission to annually review, and report to the Legislature and the Director of Finance about, the policies and procedures adopted pursuant to the bill.