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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, November 13, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 23, 2004 RCC makes few budget changes College will tap reserve to keep tuition and fees at last year’s level By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Rogue Community College plans to maintain services, fees and tuition at current levels, according to its proposed budget for next year. Lynda Warren, budget officer and dean of college services, described the $27.1 million proposal as "a rollover budget," with few changes when compared to the present budget. The proposed budget makes good on college officials’ promise to hold steady tuition and fees for two years after a steep increase approved last year. Faced by a $2.86 million revenue shortfall from the state last year, the college raised tuition by more than 20 percent, from $49 per credit in 2002-03 to $59 per credit in 2003-04. Officials also cut programs and personnel. "During these turbulent times, the college has reallocated staff, furloughed programs and looked for ways to enhance revenue," President Rick Levine said in his budget message. Advertisement This year the college faced an $800,000 deficit, Warren said in a statement released by the college Thursday. She recommended the college cover that gap by dipping into a reserve fund created last year to pay for anticipated increases in the Public Employee Retirement System costs. The college set aside money to cover a 17 percent contribution to the retirement system, but its actual share was only 10.24 percent, spokeswoman Margaret Bradford said. Tapping the reserve would enable the college to maintain programs and services without boosting student costs, Warren said. Tuition would remain at $59 per credit for in-state students, $71 per credit for out-of-state students and $191 per credit for international students. Student fees also would go unchanged. Personnel costs in the proposed budget are based on two-year agreements made last year with faculty and other employees, she said. Two of four faculty posts that went unfilled after retirements in 2002 and 2003 would be filled under the proposed budget. Spending on materials and supplies would increase about 2 percent. The college would maintain a $471,000 contingency reserve. The community college’s budget committee took its first look at the proposed budget this week. The committee expects to approve the budget May 18 and forward it to the college’s board of education for adoption June 15. The budget proposal is available for review at www.roguecc.edu/budget/2004_05/Proposed . Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities