Final answer:
The correct answer is option D. Cannot be determined.
Step-by-step explanation:
Students engaging in protests, such as those in Chile in 2012, are often motivated by a belief in the need for affordable college education. Protests can be an effective way to bring attention to high tuition fees and demand changes that could benefit a large portion of the population. In the U.S., the feasibility and desirability of free college tuition are widely debated. On one hand, free college can lead to higher graduation rates and financial security post-college. On the other hand, opponents argue that when students do not pay, they may take their education less seriously.
Student protests have historically been a powerful force for change on college campuses and beyond. For example, student actions at Cooper Union influenced leadership changes and financial planning to address tuition fees. Similarly, protests across various campuses have led to the inclusion of ethnic studies programs and other significant reforms. Nonetheless, the assumption that protests will influence the costs of university education is not guaranteed and can depend on a multitude of factors.