Tuition increase a matter of time
By JJ Ossola
IV Leader Staff
Although Illinois Valley Community College has not
significantly raised its rates in the past five years, tuition increases will
come either in the immediate future in the form of incremental increases or in a
large tuition increase in 2008.
IVCC is following the lead of community colleges and
university across the state who have steadily increased their tuitions by an
estimated rate of 4-6 percent per year for the past five years.
Currently a student who attends a community college in
Illinois could pay anywhere from $2,595 (Carl Sandburg College) to $1,500
(Shawnee Community College) a semester. IVCC'’s combined tuition and universal
fee rate is currently $61.25 a credit hour, or $1,960 (at 32 credits a
semester.)
If the blame for funding problems must rest anywhere, it
resides with the Illinois Public Community College Act which mandates community
college's state funding.
Interim president Charles Novak said, "There are several
regulations by the ICCB which would force the college to raise tuition whether
we wanted to or not. IVCC's tuition must stay at 85 percent of the average state
tuition or we will lose $2.4 million in equalization and property tax funding."
Jerry Corcoran, vice president for business services, said,
"Equalization revenue goes to the General Fund (Education and Operations and
Maintenance.) In the current fiscal year, equalization funding (i.e., the grant
and tax combined) is 15 percent of the budgeted operating fund revenues." He
said, "Although the college would have until the beginning of fiscal year 2008
to raise tuition to the minimum 85 percent threshold, it could be a substantial
increase at that time"
Illinois community colleges have all had tuition increases
with several of them rising 14-39 percent from 2002-2006.
Twenty one percent of the surveyed schools had a 10 percent
tuition increase or greater in 2005-06 semester while only 12 percent were able
to have insignificant change (1 percent or lower.) That leaves 67 percent of the
colleges in the 2 percent to 9 percent increase range.
Corcoran also said, "IVCC's last tuition increase was for
$1/credit hour in fiscal year 2004 and last fiscal year, the average Illinois
community college increase was $6." He went on to say, "Unofficial survey
results involving 16 Illinois community colleges indicate that the average
tuition and universal fee increase for next year will be $4-$5."
Novak said, "The 10-year increase in tuition for area
colleges is around 69 percent. At IVCC it is 62 percent. The trend is up, and it
is going to take a major overhaul of education funding mechanisms to stop it."
The need for a tuition increase to sustain the budget also
comes at a time when tax assessments have fallen. “Recently, one the major
properties, the Excelon power plant in LaSalle county, was re-assessed at a
value much lower than it had been previously. Because of its decline in value,
its owners were responsible for a lower amount of taxes, and as a result, IVCC's
budget took a significant hit,” said IVCC student trustee Matt Simko.
Simko went on to say, "We are lucky to have a thoughtful,
talented staff preparing our budget, and so we should not second guess their
work at the first sign of increased financial need."
He added, "I hope that the students take the time to consider
the issues as they form their opinions of the appropriateness of this increase."
Novak said, "IVCC's tuition is very competitive in the region
we remain a good bargain for area students and our programs are high quality."
Student Government Association representatives plan to
conduct a survey of students before formulating a response for or against an
increase in tuition.
Controller Cheryl Roelfsema and Corcoran plan on having a
meeting with students to explain the need for a tuition increase and answer any
questions but a date has not been set yet.