A group of students at UCLA Thursday morning took over Campbell Hall to protest UC Board of Regents' likely approval of a 32 percent tuition hike that would put undergraduate costs to attend classes at the public campus above $10,000 annually.

A UCLA spokesman said “no action is being taken” against the group, which used chains and bicycle locks to barricade itself inside the building. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said classes at Campbell Hall have been canceled, and he urged people to “stay away.”

Facing a $535 million budget shortfall, the regents have little choice but to raise tuition, however. “… This is our one best shot at preventing this recession from pulling down a great system toward mediocrity,'' said UC President Mark Yudof.

Under crushing state budgets tuition and fees have almost tripled at UCLA since 1999.

The UCLA Daily Bruin student newspaper is streaming live video and audio of the regents' meeting.

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