The UC system, as many of us already know, is one that is highly regarded. Each of the 10 campuses meets a standard that is obviously at least acceptable or satisfactory to the UC Board of Regents, otherwise that particular campus would not be a part of the honorable and prestigious system. So it makes you question the rationale of the Board when they propose a controversial idea such as implementing a UC flex in tuitions varying from campus to campus.

First of all, why are we putting UCLA and UC Berkeley up on such a high pedestal? A student should not have to pay an extra $6,000 for an education at one of these schools. Every UC campus ranks differently in certain majors, and contrary to what you may believe, UCLA and Cal are not the highest ranked for every major and field of study. For example, UC Irvine is the only school with a Criminal Justice department.

Or what if someone has to choose UCLA solely because it is more convenient in terms of commuting? Being punished for their logic by having to pay more is atrocious. “Students should have the freedom to choose what school they want to attend, without having to worry about funds” states biology major Haya Sheikh.

There are certain factors that students consider before submitting that well thought-out submission of intent-to-register to the university that best fits their need(s). Tuition is largely one of the major factors determined before doing so. In this case, whatever happened to equal opportunity? Students with lower budgets and incomes automatically feel discouraged to even aim for those two schools, knowing they won’t be able to afford tuition. They are spoiling a perfectly good education just because of funds.

Applying a varying tuition from campus to campus creates an elitist system, something completely contradictory to what our forefathers wanted for the future of this country. Increasing tuition fees for the higher ranked campuses puts it in writing that certain UC campuses are better than others, and are more worth your time.

It is unfortunate that society’s views are so skewed towards the rankings of these campuses, because that automatically puts faculty members from the respective campuses in a hierarchy of inequality. A statistics professor from UC Merced would feel inadequate next to one teaches at UCSD, when in fact they both should stand on the same level, deserving the same amount of respect and credit for obtaining that degree to be teaching at a UC campus.

Point being, every UC campus is different and excels in particular departments. We should take pride in the fact that something so diverse can still come together and be created in one system, with equality for every campus.