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Volume 41, Issue 12
April 6, 2004
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April 6, 2004
Board waits on tuition
decision
Maria Khan
Mesa Legend
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| Ed Contreras at district board meeting on
March 23. |
Facing uncertainty over state funding, the
Maricopa Community Colleges considered a proposal that could raise tuition
and fees by $4 per credit hour.
The increase would mean students would be paying $55 per credit hour during
the fiscal year of 2004-05. If approved, the proposal would increase tuition
for full-time students taking 30 credit hours per year by $120 for an
annual tuition cost of $1,650.
The district receives more than half of its funding from property taxes,
while the rest is covered by tuition and state aid. Out-of-state and county
tuition surcharges and interest earnings make up other revenue. The district
plans to strengthen all three predominant sources of income by maximizing
the property tax rate as allowable under the state law, lobbying for state
aid at levels recommended by Governor Napolitano, and asking the governing
board to approve the tuition increase.
“To help mitigate the effect of this tuition increase there is a
$1 million increase in scholarships for students,” said Debra Thompson,
acting vice chancellor of business services.
At the March 23 district board meeting, the proposal of the $4 increase
was denied. Board member Ed Contreras said, “If we continue to increase
the tuition at such a rate we will price out our students. A $4 increase
is too much of a burden on them and we have to stop using them as scapegoats
to allocate our funds.” Contreras suggested a $2 increase instead,
which was also denied.
Students from other campuses also came and spoke to the board about the
affects of this increase. Most notably was Thomas Gerloff, a student at
GCC, who told the board, “The reasons why students attend community
colleges are because it is cheaper than the state universities; this is
unfair to us.”
At the meeting, it was also suggested that more information about such
increases be readily available to students so that they are aware of changes
and can be more prepared for a possible increase. Students also asked
for more justification of why such increases are necessary.
“We are aware there is an issue with accessibility and affordability.
We have responded by having more financial aid and scholarships for the
students, and we will continue to help our students’ access funds
for their education,” said Chancellor Rufus Glasper.
For now, the board has voted against the increase, may discuss the increase
again in April.
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