WASHINGTON - A trustees committee at the University of the District of Columbia is scheduled Wednesday to consider a proposal to nearly double tuition for District residents, after students spent the night camped out on the campus to protest the changes.

In effort to speak out against a proposed tuition increase, students are pitching tents on campus and promising to boycott classes Wednesday.

UDC students took their message to the streets Tuesday, as they dumped their book bags for markers and poster board to protest plans for a 100 percent tuition hike and total school makeover.

Students on campus expressed their concerns. "It would make it very difficult for me because I am a college student, I work part time, I have a daughter. The fact that [it] is affordable helps," said one student.

Tuition for D.C. residents who want a four-year degree is $3,800 dollars a year. Now, the UDC president wants to increase the tuition to $7,000 dollars a year.

"I actually pay out of pocket working and then taking classes at night -- it's really hard to afford now," said Jamal Freeman, a UDC student.

The issue of tuition isn't the only thing students are against. The proposal is to close UDC's open enrollment policy and split the campus into two schools -- one part would be for four-year students while the rest would be a community college.

School officials argue they have involved students in a process aimed at getting UDC on par with other comparable institutions. To offset money worries, the school is urging to students to sign up for financial aid.

"We have a lot of repairs and upgrades we need to make, but as well as stepping up faculty," said UDC spokeswoman Jackie Boynton

Students who protested Tuesday said they are not just protesting a plan, they are fighting for their futures.

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