When does raising the cost of education finally become unacceptable?

Probably when state education officially stops being affordable for the average student.

Just ask our California State University Board of Trustees, who are again likely to pass a system-wide tuition or "fee" increase as they have deceptively dubbed it.

Perhaps the board can better cope with robbing students if they disguise terms. We've already felt the brunt of the burden and now we must brace ourselves for an even heavier load.

This is the sixth time since 2008 that fee hikes have been implemented and students are still reeling from last year's 32 percent increase.

Students should not have to go broke in order to gain an education.

The California Master Plan for Higher Education was adopted in 1960 to address the projected increase in student enrollment and the problem of too many students and not enough resources.

It went above and beyond by creating the largest and most distinguished public higher education system in the U.S.

Despite the addition of eight new CSU campuses in the last 40 years, the system is still struggling to accommodate a growing number of applicants.

The quality of California's public universities is currently far from "exemplary," contrary to what the Educational Relations Department website states.

In October, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a $126 billion state budget, which included a 10 percent CSU tuition increase.

Although the system received more than $100 million in stimulus cash, the money was put toward bringing back classes that were cut and increasing student admission to the University.

If the recently proposed fee is approved, students will face a 5 percent increase this spring, amounting to approximately $105 more per semester.

By next fall tuition could skyrocket another 10 percent to an excess of $600 per year.

So when does raising the cost of education become unacceptable? When the only low budget option for higher education is no longer affordable, forcing students out of the system due to a lack of funds.

This time is unfortunately upon us. Please, no more "fee" increases.