A few common themes emerged from the UC Board of Regents Meeting this week, hosted by the scenic Riverside campus. Under the specter of a skin-and-bones state budget and looming student fee increases, the regents scratched their heads and then put them together to deal with the one thing on everyone’s mind: money.

Although everyone agreed that times were tough, that cuts had to be made, and that raising the price tag for students was bad, no one could suggest a viable alternative. Even Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, who has come out vehemently against the state’s decision to impose a “stupid tax on students,” did not have an answer as to how the university could deal with the cuts without increasing fees, given the budget at hand.

“Within the university? I would not recommend that,” he said. “Kick it back to the legislature.”

UC Students Association President Lucero Chavez brought up some of the vital non-tuition costs students face that are often overlooked—for instance, rent, transportation and food. But Chavez was realistic in her expectations from the regents, and placed the responsibility for fees squarely in the lap of state legislators.

“We understand the UC is hurting from the state budget, and you understand the students are hurting from the state budget,” she said. “We face a bad budget every year. We all recognize (education) is an investment—and we consider ourselves a stimulus package.”

Student Regent D’Artagnan Scorza, a constant voice of reason on the student fee issue, seemed particularly conflicted. Although he said fee increases may be inevitable, he worried about an onslaught of additional fees—such as the IT fee—and what impact they might have on students.

“Further progress on this vital issue may need be deferred,” he said.

And deferred it will be, as the question of raising fees has already been postponed to the regents’ May meeting, which conveniently ends just before UC Berkeley’s last day of finals. Moreover, Student Regent-Designate Jesse Bernal has said that the regents might not even vote on Fall fees in May, as many state propositions will not have been voted on by then. Instead, the board may vote only on increases for summer sessions, and wait until July to address the academic year.

Meanwhile, Garamendi is suggesting that students and the university stand up and fight the fees, although he isn’t explicit on what arsenal they should be using.

“You are powerful. The university is powerful,” he said. “And it really ought to use its voice and say enough. Enough of stupid taxes on systems. We’re literally starving our system, and by doing so we’re starving economic potential for the future. We really have to stand up for a fight.”