SAN MARCOS -- Cal State San Marcos students would see their annual tuition rise 10 percent under a proposed increase scheduled to go before California State University trustees for a vote Wednesday.

The public can weigh in on the proposed hike during Wednesday's meeting at the CSU chancellor's office in Long Beach.

CSU undergraduate students pay $3,048 in tuition, also called state fees. If the hike is approved, students would pay $3,968 -- or $305 more annually and more than double the $1,634 students paid 10 years ago.

The tuition is on top of local campus fees and the cost of books, parking and other fees that CSUSM students must pay. Figures provided by campus administrators show that the total estimated cost of attending the university would increase to at least $14,099 next year for undergraduate students who do not live on campus if the fee hike is approved.

Students living in on- or off-campus housing can expect to pay $19,796, according to the university's figures.

CSU Chancellor Charles Reed has said the increase is necessary to help bridge a budget gap left by shortfalls with the state budget.

Cal State San Marcos administrators said last week that about half their undergraduate students receive grants, scholarships and other financial aid that would cover the increase.

The increase, if approved, would mark the third consecutive year of 10 percent tuition increases. Critics said they're troubled by the trend and that a hike in tuition is the last thing students need during a national economic recession.

Undergraduate students interviewed on campus last week offered mixed takes, with some saying they were not worried because they receive financial aid and others saying they understood why an increase might be needed.

"It looks like our funds just keep getting cut," said biology major Jelena Jablanovic, 22, a senior who plans to return in the fall. "So they have to get a little bit of money from somewhere."

Still others gave the proposed hike a thumbs-down -- even if they would be unaffected by the hike.

"We're about to graduate," 31-year-old Amee Fortanilla said about herself and fellow psychology major Eric Rhodes, 22. "But it sucks. With the economy today, it's really unfortunate that the kids have to go through that, especially with education."

Still comparatively low

The CSU system has always been a relative bargain for higher education students. Public universities in many other states cost at least twice as much, and tuition at private colleges and universities can run tens of thousands of dollars a year.

Pat Worden, vice president for student affairs at CSUSM, said California's higher education master plan calls for the CSU system to offer "the most affordable (higher education) access" possible.

The increase would not affect CSUSM students who use grants to cover their education costs, because those grants would provide extra money to cover the hike, she said.

The increase's effect on student loan recipients would be delayed until they begin paying the money back, Worden added.

"For the other half of our students, who are not covered by financial aid, it (would) cost them a little bit more (this fall)," she said.

California Faculty Association spokeswoman Alice Sunshine said its members realize the state has a budget crisis but believe that increasing the fee during a recession would be counterproductive. The union, which represents professors at all 23 CSU campuses, is sending representatives to Wednesday's meeting to argue against the increase.

"College education is part of how you solve a budget crisis -- getting more people educated helps that," Sunshine said.

CSUSM adjunct faculty member Mayra Besosa said she has seen the effect previous fee increases have had on students.

"What I see is a decline in student study habits and their performance because the more they have in fees, the more they have to work," said Besosa, a union representative at CSUSM. "They're working two and three jobs. And because they don't have degrees, they're holding probably minimum or low-wage jobs."

Members of CSUSM's student government joined some of their peers last month in Sacramento, where they marched on the state Capitol and lobbied state legislators as part of an effort to make their opposition to the fee hike known.

Alexander Hoang, president and CEO of CSUSM's Associated Students Inc., said its student representative on the Board of Trustees has been instructed to speak out against the increase and cast a "nay" vote at Wednesday's meeting.

Contact staff writer Andrea Moss at (760) 739-6654.

What it really costs

State and campus fees $3,968

Books $1,639

Food & housing $10,035*

Transportation $1,250**

Personal/Misc. $2,820

Loan Fee $84

TOTAL $19,796

* Based on housing cost of $715/month and food cost of $400/month for nine months.

** Represents an allowance for bus fare, gasoline and other costs to get to and from classes and work; does not include car payments, insurance, repairs or license fees.

Source: CSUSM Cost of Attendance chart given to parents of students interested in attending the university

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CSU Board of Trustees meeting on proposed fee increase

When: 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 13

Where: CSU Office of the Chancellor, 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach