Demonstrators fume over 32 percent tuition hike at UCLA

A proposal to increase tuition by 32 percent at UCLA causes a dramatic protest that leads to 14 arrests. America's college tuition continues to rise in the face of an ugly recession.

More than 500 angry protesters taunted police at a gathering at UCLA, resulting in 14 arrests. The protesters were demonstrating against the school's proposal to hike tuition by 32 percent. Against the backdrop of the Great Recession and the economic hardships that continue to unfold with 10 percent unemployment nationwide, America's public and private colleges continued their steady march of higher tuitions this fall. With consumer prices falling, any increase in tuition has a further knock-on effect against U.S. households. "Every sector of the American economy is under stress and higher education is no exception," Terry Hartle, senior vice president of the American Council on Education told the Associated Press. "It's regrettable, and it's yet another piece of disappointing economic news that affects families." The UCLA tuition leap is a reaction to plans for severe state funding cuts, as California faces a continual financial crisis. California eliminated $813 million from the University of California budget - forcing the elimination of 3,800 positions.