The University of California announced a plan this morning to raise tuition by 5 percent annually over the next five years. It will be considered at the Board of Regents’ Nov. 19 meeting.

Fee hikes shouldn’t come as a surprise in the UC system, but this particular plan is actually unusual. In the past, fees would stay in place for a few years and then hike up dramatically, causing campuses to erupt in student protests.

This plan would set next year’s tuition at $12,804, up from $12,192. In 2009-10, that figure would jump to $15,563.

The UC chancellors signed a letter of support, stating the budget plan is necessary and appropriate:

The plan addresses our obligation to students and their families to provide them with the best education possible at the most affordable price. It is predictable and fair, and it allows families to plan ahead. It enables us to enroll thousands more California students, maintains our robust financial aid program, and makes essential investments in academic quality.

The UC says funds will be used to enroll at least 5,000 more California students—as opposed to the ever-popular, higher-paying out-of-state or international students—as well as improve the student-faculty ratio, add more courses and increase student support services.

But let’s just look at this chart instead.