Harper passes balanced budget in wake of dwindling state support

With state funding continuing to dwindle, the Harper College board of trustees passed a fiscal year 2012 budget that relies more than ever on student support.

Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved setting the Palatine community college’s educational fund budget at $86.6 million, which is a 6.5 percent increase from the earlier year. Officials attributed the hike largely to higher health insurance costs and contractual salary increases. Salaries and benefits comprise 75 percent of spending.

The operation and maintenance fund budget, which covers maintenance, repairs and utilities, is increasing 1.4 percent to $17.9 million.

“We are pleased to present a budget that honors the board’s commitment to fiscal responsibility despite the continuing decline in state revenues,” Harper President Ken Ender said.

Tuition and fees make up 46 percent of the college’s budget, Controller Bret Bonnstetter said. Tuition is up $4 to a total of $102.50 per credit hour for in-district students, while the college’s construction and renovation fee is up $2 per credit hour.

According to Harper’s 2010-11 college plan document, officials project tuition will be $106 per credit hour next school year. It was $81 as recently as 2006.

Ender said Harper remains an affordable alternative to soaring tuition at traditional four-year universities, and that it provides the type of programs that will help workers learn new skills and retrain for new careers.

Trustees lauded the balanced budget and minimal increase in spending given state support for Harper is estimated to be $6.7 million, or 6.1 percent of the college’s revenue. State funding is supposed to account for one-third of a community college’s funding, officials said. When adjusted for inflation, Illinois community college currently receive state funding at 1998 levels, according to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.

“We’re learning to not be dependent on the state,” Ender said.

In addition, the budget calls for $34.8 million in capital spending, the bulk of which will go toward renovating buildings G and H to house technology programs such as HVAC and welding. Construction on the vacant facilities is expected to begin this school year.

Executive Vice President Ronald Ally also said a chunk of the capital projects budget will fund the improvement of the Roselle Road and Euclid Avenue entrances, along with the inner drive that runs perpendicular to them. Ally said the entrances were poorly designed. A traffic study needs to be conducted before plans are drawn up.