Professor Simmons Comments on UC Tuition for L.A. Times
Professor Daniel Simmons commented for the Los Angeles Times on a proposal to change the terminology the University of California uses for student fees, referring to them as "tuition" for the first time in the university's history. While many have argued that the switch would be significant as a symbol of the state's shift away from its master plan for higher education, which declares California's public schools to be "tuition free to all residents," others have asserted that the change would merely bring terminology in line with reality.
Professor Simmons, who is vice-chairman of UC's system-wide Faculty Senate, said a switch would undoubtedly ease confusion and would be supported by most faculty. Students, he said, would be most concerned with the amount they are charged regardless of the terminology used. "That's the real issue," he said. "It doesn't matter a lot if you call it tuition or not."
Daniel L. Simmons is a UC Davis Professor of Law and a national expert on tax law, with an emphasis on corporate and partnership taxation.