UCR Students Protest Tuition Model Changes Impacting Future Enrollment Costs

The University of California Board meeting held on July 13, 2025, featured significant public comments addressing pressing issues related to tuition and compensation for medical residents.

The meeting began with Brianna Trujillo, the vice president of external affairs for the associate students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Trujillo voiced strong opposition to the proposed changes to the cohort tuition model, also known as the tuition stipulated plan. This model, approved in 2021, locks in tuition rates for each undergraduate class for up to six years. Trujillo argued that while this model is marketed as a means to provide predictable costs, it ultimately shifts rising expenses onto future students. She emphasized that the changes do not directly impact current students but will make the University of California less accessible and more expensive for those who follow. Trujillo criticized the lack of improvements in services or facilities accompanying these tuition hikes, highlighting that middle-class families, who often do not qualify for financial aid, will be disproportionately affected.

Following Trujillo's remarks, Dr. Katie Center, a pediatric resident physician at UCLA and a member of the CIRSCIU bargaining team, called for immediate wage increases for resident physicians. Center pointed out the ongoing physician shortage in California, particularly in primary care specialties, and stressed the importance of competitive compensation to retain talent in the state. She urged the Board to consider the financial realities faced by residents and fellows, particularly those pursuing subspecialties that offer lower pay than general pediatrics. Center's comments underscored the need for fair wages to ensure that medical professionals can afford to live and work in California, thereby serving communities facing significant healthcare shortages.

The public comment segment concluded with a reminder from the Board that while they do not respond to comments during the meeting, they are attentive to the concerns raised. The discussions highlighted critical issues regarding tuition affordability and the compensation of healthcare professionals, reflecting broader challenges within the University of California system.