1:22 p.m.: UC panel approves tuition hike

A proposed tuition hike has been approved by a committee of the University of California governing board.

The committee voted 7-2 Wednesday to approve the plan recommended by UC President Janet Napolitano that would raise tuition in each of the next five years.

The proposed tuition hikes still must be reviewed by the full Board of Regents on Thursday, and it could be approved then.

Napolitano said the increases are needed to protect the quality of education in the face of insufficient state funding.

Tuition rates at the 10 UC schools have been frozen for three years.

Under the plan, the average annual cost of a UC education for California residents would go up $612 to $12,804 next fall and to $15,564 in fall 2019.

The dissenting votes came from Gov. Jerry Brown and the student regent.

12:53 p.m.: Gov. Jerry Brown opposes UC tuition hike

California Gov. Jerry Brown told a University of California committee that he opposes tuition hikes and wants a task force to look at ways of restructuring the system so more students can be educated in less time.

At the meeting Wednesday, Brown said a task force could look at transfer and completion routes for community college students, a ramp-up in online classes, and making each campus more distinct in academic specialties.

The Board of Regents committee is considering a plan recommended by UC President Janet Napolitano that would raise tuition in each of the next five years.

The average annual cost of a UC education for state residents would go up $612 next fall.

Napolitano said she is open to new ideas and would like to work with Brown but there isn't time for a new task force.