UC Leaders: No Tuition Hike Needed Under Brown's Budget

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — University of California leaders say the 10-campus system can avoid raising undergraduate tuition this fall if UC gets the funding increase proposed in Gov. Jerry Brown's budget plan.

University officials said Thursday they welcomed Brown's proposal to raise UC funding by $250 million, even though the increase is less than they had requested.

UC leaders discussed the university's finances and future at the Board of Regents meeting, which was attended by Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker John Perez and state Superintendent Tom Torlakson.

After years of budget cuts, Brown wants to give more money to California's public colleges and universities, thanks to the November passage of his Proposition 30 tax initiative.

But in exchange Brown wants colleges to control spending, stop raising tuition and create more online courses.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.