SAN FRANCISCO -- The University of California regents ratified steep student fee increases Thursday for the fall, saying higher tuition is the only way to offset profound spending cuts being ordered by lawmakers in Sacramento.

The UC governing body voted 13-3 to approve a 25 percent increase and gave President Richard Atkinson authority to raise fees an additional 5 percent if warranted by the outcome of the state budget. The full board's action came a day after a finance committee recommended the increase.

Administration officials are expecting budget cuts of at least $360 million and are preparing for tens of millions more.

Regents Tom Sayles and David Lee voted against the increases, along with student Regent Matt Murray.

Undergraduates will pay $4,984 if the expected 30 percent increase takes effect. Coupled with other mandatory campus fees, most students will pay closer to $5,300 a year.

The regents will consider revising UC's fee policy in the coming months. Sayles will propose a policy that would require affluent students to pay a surcharge.