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Access fee adds to student expenses
The Advocate
Fees that will go in effect for the upcoming summer term are the $5 tuition increase per credit hour, the college services fee increase of $10 ($40 total) and the new access fee of $35 per term, which will replace the current parking permit and fee system.
The access fee is $35 a term for any student enrolled in at least one credit class, regardless whether a student will be taking courses on campus or online.
The parking permit system, implemented in 2011-2012, fell short of projections by the administration and district board.
Mark Denney, a senior budget analyst, when asked whether the new access fee aimed to fill the gap made by the parking permit system, said, "It's definitely true that the parking fee fell short in two areas. One, it didn't generate the revenues, and two, it had significantly higher administrative costs than what were projected."
He also said that the administrative costs associated with the effort spent collecting and deliberating ticket challenges submitted by students were higher than anticipated.
"Third, and equally important, is it had some unintended consequences in that it drove students away from parking on campus and just parking in nearby surrounding locations," said Denney.
Denney said that with the removal of the parking permit system, security on campus will be able to dedicate more of its time to campus safety rather than making sure cars are not parked illegally.
"The existing campus security staff, which was increased for the parking fee, will be retained and will focus more on actual security as they will no longer have to check whether a car is parked illegally on campus," he said.
Denney said a portion of the money generated by the access fee will go toward expanding security as well.
Among the security expansions, Denney mentioned expansions to the closed circuit surveillance as one way the college aims to increase security on campus.
According to the school website, a portion of the revenue generated will also be used to subsidize the sale of discounted TriMet passes at the bookstore and to purchase new bike racks.
The website also states that the parking signs and kiosks that have been used for the parking permit system will be repurposed to help visitors and students find their way through the school parking lots and buildings. The kiosks will be repurposed as illuminated signage. The college is evaluating the resale value of two permit machines.
In earlier budget committee meetings, committee members were asked whether they would consider implementing the access fee on a sliding scale basis, meaning charging more or less depending on the amount of credits a student is taking.
"The board expressed a willingness to make some type of sliding scale. At present, no specific plans are in place," said Denney, adding that "all initiatives in this year's budget are going to be reviewed and they're going to be compared to expected results and where appropriate, we will be making adjustments."
Final budget approvals will be made at Wednesday's board meeting following a public hearing session by the Multnomah County Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission (TSCC). The commission will review the 2012-13 budget, which will then make its way back to the district board for final approval.
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.