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RCC eyes four-year tuition increase By DAMIAN MANN Searching for ways to reverse its budget crisis, Rogue Community College is eyeing an almost 18 percent tuition increase during the next four years. But it remains steadfastly opposed to fee hikes. The board of directors this week approved the first $2 increase in tuition this fall, bringing tuition to $47 a credit - the most expensive among the state's 17 community colleges. For the average student who takes seven credits, the increase would amount to $14 a quarter, or a 4 percent hike in the first year. The school, which services Jackson and Josephine counties, was forced to cut more than $3 million from its budget through reductions in class offerings and staff. To improve its financial health, the board is studying annual increases in tuition for the following three years, raising it to potentially $53 a credit. "We will probably ratchet up tuition by $2 a credit per year," said George Gilman, RCC board chair. "We're hoping it will help solve our budget woes." For every $1 increase in tuition, RCC would receive an additional $125,000 in income annually. In 1999, the board boosted tuition from $38 to $45 a credit. The board remains opposed to raising fees, which amount to $3 per quarter and are among the lowest in the state. "Philosophically, we would rather not have too many additional costs," said Gilman, who was appointed board chair on Monday. RCC President Rick Levine said other schools might have lower tuition, but end up making up the difference by demanding more fees. "Some have a $5 or $10 charge for each class," he said. Other schools charge a technology fee or a student body fee, which together might amount to more than $100 above tuition, said Levine. "Even though we're at the high end of the tuition, we're at the low end of fees." Financial aid is also available for students who can't afford the tuition increases, he said. The board will continue to study any impacts the tuition hikes have on enrollment figures, which would have an impact on revenues received from the state. Gilman said, "We really want to keep education affordable." The college got a boost this year when the Legislature approved $45 million extra for community colleges throughout the state, which provided RCC with an extra $1.2 million. But Gilman said that statewide, "The $45 million is about half of what is needed for the enrollment growth that we've had." After budget cuts this year, RCC was forced to curtail its summer school offerings. "We were looking at ways to economize," said Gilman. "We cut back on so many sections." RCC won't know until the end of summer whether these cutbacks will have a detrimental impact on enrollment, but Gilman said the numbers, so far, are holding steady and class sizes haven't gotten too large, averaging about 20 students. RCC, which currently has almost 17,000 students, anticipates enrollment will swell to 25,000 students in four years. With such rapid growth, RCC officials hope to find long-range solutions to their budget problems. Tuition for out-of-state students would increase from $55 to $57, and international rates would rise from $150 to $157. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.