International students will have to pay $24 per unit more starting this summer to enroll at Cerritos College.

In the summer, international students pay $210 up from $186 per unit but in the fall semester they will have to pay $230 per unit up from the current $206 per unit.

The issue of the tuition fee increase was brought to the attention of Faculty Senate President Dr. Byran Reece during the Faculty Senate meeting on April 17.

Reece said that he’d heard of the fee increases three to four days however, said that he has not yet know why the increase has taken place.

Seeking comment from ISA adviser Danita Kurtz and Vice President of Student Services Stephen Johnson were not returned.

In addition, ASCC Senator Joon Kyu Kang brought forth a petition to members of the ASCC Senate during the meeting last Wednesday.

The petition that he presented to the Senate partially read:

? Students are collecting signatures to show concern and solidarity in petitioning for a decrease in fees to be competitive with neighboring community colleges.? Cerritos College provides an excellent educational program and leadership opportunities; however, it may lose classmates to other colleges that cost less. ? The increase may decrease the opportunity for cultural diversity on campus for domestic students. ? The college may lose much needed revenue that support program on campus.

With the increase of international student fee it is the highest in comparison to surrounding community colleges.

Among the lowest international student fees are:

? Rio Hondo College at $155 per unit? Mt. San Jacinto College at $193 per unit? Long Beach City College at $204 per unit ? Mt. SAC at $217 per unit

Afterward, Kang said that there has been no explanation for the fee hikes, but said, “I guess one of the reasons for the fee hikes is because international students are voiceless or silent to appeal to the board.”

In addition, he explained that as of right now there is a target of getting at least 3,000 student signatures and also that those with the Senate were supportive and would help with the distribution of the petition.

Kang added that there is reason to defend against the increase and there was more than that he, himself, was an international student.

“The multicultural diversity benefits every student, he said, “and if the international students’ enrollment is lowered then there will be less diversity influence on campus.”

Future Cerritos students, Jeremiah Acosta, Alicia Black and Monica Buond said that the fee increased was unfair.

“Those international students are given equal opportunity,” Acosta said, “and now that they have to face additionally money what it will do is that the students will be the ones who will suffer.”

As for the increase, compared to the $20 per unit for non-international students pay, he called it un-American.

Bound asked, “What is the difference for paying for an education?”

“It is ridiculous,” she added, “because the fees increases will be a burden and those international student will look to other colleges.”

Black said that international students are at a disadvantage and that what they have to face with more money out of their pockets will make them not come to Cerritos.

Bound said that if she meets a international student who is facing the fee increase one thing that she’d tell him is to keep their head up.