By Karlie Baker
IV Leader Editor, Feb. 21, 2008
Illinois Valley Community College students enrolling in classes for the 2008-2009 academic year will likely see a $2 per credit hour tuition increase. Students would be paying $67.75 per credit hour, or $203.25 for a 3-hour class. The Board discussed the possible increase at their Jan. 16 meeting and will reconvene Feb. 27 to make its decision.
According to Jerry Corcoran, vice president for business services and finance/treasurer, the increase would be in an effort to secure more state funding.
While the school receives part of its funding from specific course rates — more expensive courses are granted more funding — IVCC also receives money through equalization grants. Schools whose tuition rates are closer to the state average, $76.52 per credit hour, receive more money. IVCC receives roughly $2.8 million in equalization revenue through a combination of state grants and property tax levy.
“Equalization is definitely a factor in determining our tuition and fee structure,” said Corcoran, adding “I believe our rate is now the third lowest of all 39 community college districts in the state of Illinois.”
Interim president Dave Louis explained that along with equalization, inflation is a major factor.
“There’s no reasonable alternative [to a tuition increase]. Utilities, costs and supplies are up significantly,” he said. “The IVCC staff is doing an excellent job at holding expenses and controlling the budget over the course of the year, and they are spending funds in a manner consistent with the mission of the college.
”The increase would generate approximately $140,000 in revenue.
IVCC’s rates have increased nearly $16 per credit hour since 1999. Tuition rates generally increased $2-$3 every fiscal year, with the exception of fiscal years 2004-2006 where there were no tuition rate increases. The Board approved a number of changes for the 2007-2008 school year in an effort to curb the impact of tuition increases on students, Corcoran said.
They instituted a textbook rental program for classes with high enrollments. This year books are available for Art Survey I and II, Music, Psychology and Speech. According to Board of Trustees reports, the program saved students a total of $64,248 for the fall semester.
According to book store personnel, at least four more classes are projected to join the rental program next academic year.
When the Board approved the $2.50 per credit hour increase for the 2007-2008 school year, they also abolished the graduation fee and the $2 charge for transcripts. They believed that eliminating the graduation fee would encourage more students who have earned the appropriate credits to graduate.
“It’s a shame for people to pay the tuition and have to pay an additional fee to graduate,” said Louis.