Board approves fee and tuition increase

By Rachel Kramer

The Mt. Hood Community College District board approved a $3 per credit increase in tuition and a $1 increase in student activity fees at Wednesday night’s board meeting.
“As the budget has evolved, it has become obvious that we need an increase,” College President Robert Silverman said.

The amount was recommended by Silverman Wednesday night and supported by all five board members present.
“None of us want a tuition increase,” board Chair Ralph Yates said, “but the alternative was to cut classes and do layoffs. This was the only decision we could make.”
With the tuition increase, according to Silverman, there will be no layoffs or program eliminations, and a balanced budget will be ready next week.

“10 of 17 community colleges are looking at tuition increases,” Chief Operating Officer Gary Murph said. “These amounts range from $1.60 to $5. Other than MHCC, [Portland Community College], [Klamath Community College] and [Clatsop Community College] are looking at an increase of $3.”

According to the KCC website, the $3 increase has been approved.
Although a proposal for faculty to give back two work days was discussed at the March board meeting, no set number was decided upon at Wednesday’s board meeting.
“Discussion is still going on,” Al Sigala, director of media and public relations, said. “The decision will come later.”

Tuition, which is now $67.50 per credit, will increase to $70.50 per credit effective summer quarter.

The student fee increase was passed with almost no discussion. The fee will go from $1.50 per credit to $2.50 per credit.

“We had a long discussion at last month’s meeting,” Yates said. “We spent considerable time thinking about it and had a month to receive phone calls.”
This decision follows months of preparation by ASG President Stephen Emery and ASG Director of Finance Marci Husby.

“We worked really hard for this,” Husby said. “This [fee increase] will make it possible for everyone to enhance their programs.”
According to Husby, all co-curricular programs will be receiving their original requests plus an additional 10 percent.

The part-time health and wellness center position will be increased to full time, a new part-time student recruitment and development position will be created and $10,000 will be donated for scholarships for low income families who need child care to attend MHCC.