Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Stands Against Tuition Increases in UC Stability Plan

LOS ANGELES, CA – Yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis made remarks at the University of California (UC) Board of Regents meeting in opposition to the renewal of the UC’s Tuition Stability Plan.

“The Board’s decision to renew the UC’s Tuition Stability Plan is deeply disappointing. Students and families are already struggling to afford housing, food, and basic necessities, and raising tuition only makes their path harder. I opposed this increase because we cannot and should not balance structural deficits on the backs of our students.

“The University of California is the premier public higher education system in the world — an engine of innovation, economic mobility, and an asset for all Californians. Protecting access and affordability is essential to preserving that mission. Every student deserves a fair chance to pursue their dreams and contribute to our state’s future, and I will continue fighting to ensure the UC remains accessible to all.”

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor underscored the financial pressures facing families nationwide, driven by rising living costs and compounded by federal inaction on higher education funding and student aid. She stressed that tuition hikes should be a last resort, not the starting point.

Having visited all 10 UC campuses, the Lieutenant Governor has consistently heard from students that affordability is their top concern. She noted that increasing tuition undermines access to the upward mobility and life-changing opportunities that a UC degree provides.

The modified UC Tuition Stability Plan maintains a 5% annual cap on tuition increases but would reduce the portion returned to financial aid from 45% to 40% and require the item to be reviewed again in seven years. Estimated in-state undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 is $15,384, potentially rising to $20,616 by 2032 under the proposal.

The Board voted 13–3 to renew the plan. Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis was one of only three members to oppose the renewal.

Link to the Lieutenant Governor’s remarks.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:

Since taking office, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis has championed California’s students, advocating for accessible, affordable, and quality higher education for all. She is the only person to serve on the governing boards of the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges. She also serves on the Calbright College Board of Trustees. California’s public higher education systems serve over 2.8 million students. Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis currently serves as Chair of the Board for the Designation of California Black Serving Institution program. The board is tasked with identifying California universities that excel in serving and providing academic resources for their Black students, a historically underrepresented population in higher education.

For more information about the Lieutenant Governor’s work on higher education, visit www.ltg.ca.gov.