UC to fight ruling on money owed to students

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The University of California has asked the state Supreme Court to review a $34 million judgment, which already has grown to $40 million with interest.

UC attorneys said the unanimous November ruling by three appeals-court justices was flawed and unfairly faulted the university for raising fees for some students after promising they would remain stable. They also criticized justices for awarding money to students whose financial aid negated the 2003 fee hikes.

If the Supreme Court declines to take on the case -- or if the university loses again -- UC will have to pay about 35,000 graduate and undergraduate students involved in the class-action suit.

Every month that passes adds more than $300,000 in interest to the award, said an attorney for the plaintiffs. But a UC lawyer said the university believes it can still win the case.

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