"The University [of California] last month paid more than $33 million to former students who participated in a class-action lawsuit over disputed fees," the Contra Costa Times reports. "A state appeals court ruled in November 2007 that UC had unfairly raised fees for thousands of students in 2003. UC attorneys appealed the ruling, but the state Supreme Court declined to consider the case, leaving the university on the hook for the refunds and interest that boosted the total owed to $42 million. Most of the money was distributed in December. A UC spokesman said the payout would not affect the university, despite recent budget cuts that have led to increased class sizes and other cutbacks."