Santa Monica College Asked to Hold Off on Tuition Plan The request came a day after a student protest at the college ended with a campus police officer spraying dozens of people with pepper spray, several of whom suffered minor injuries. Many students and faculty members have criticized the plan saying it violates the long tradition of community colleges as havens for those without the means to afford four-year colleges. The chancellor, Jack Scott, had already made it clear that he was wary of the community college's plan to charge more for some popular classes and said it could violate state education codes. He has asked the state's attorney general for an opinion, which he expects to receive in the next week. Last month, the board of trustees at the college approved a plan that would offer about 50 high-demand courses at $180 a unit, rather than the regular $36 tuition. College administrators have said that the higher tuition would cover their costs. For years, the college has faced increased demand and overcrowded classes at the same time as the state has cut financing to the community colleges. Students routinely complain about not being able to register for classes that they need for job training and transferring to four-year schools - a problem that plagues community colleges across the country. Chui L. Tsang, the president of Santa Monica College has said that he believes the plan is legal and is the only way to try to meet the demand for more seats in classes.