Say 'yes' to Harper College
Harper College is preparing to embark on a $330 million campaign over 10 years to make major repairs and upgrades to existing buildings on the Palatine campus, plus build a new Public Safety Education Center and a new Student Center.
Of that total, the college is asking residents on Nov. 4 to contribute $153.6 million directly, in the form of a tax increase.
Everyone has to make tough decisions these days. At a time when families are changing routines and tightening spending, we expect local governments to live within their means and spend only what's necessary.
We deliberated this referendum on its merits, as well as in light of the uncertain economy. We questioned whether this referendum, whatever its merits, needed to be done now, or whether it could wait. We recommend a yes vote.
• Of all graduating Northwest suburban high school students who pursue higher education immediately, 1 out of 3 choose Harper. Twelve months after graduation, that number grows to 1 in 2. This indicates more kids who could handle the academic rigors of a four-year school are opting for a $3,000 per year college experience instead of a $43,000 one, at least for the first two years. Harper is at nearly maximum capacity - from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. weekdays, virtually every classroom is occupied.
• The referendum money would go primarily for repair and renovation. Forty-four percent of the Harper campus is more than 30 years old. Citizens who responded to the survey said that keeping Harper in good repair was more important than building anew, but they don't want a tax increase to do it.
Harper is accommodating that by retiring old bonds concurrent with taking out the $153.6 million loan. This way it can collect the increase without raising the tax rate. This isn't exactly the "no tax increase" referendum the college has been advertising, because without the increase your taxes would go down. But the amount of the decrease? Around $25 for a $500,000 house.
Of the $330 million, nearly $255 million is earmarked for renovating buildings older than 30 years; repairs and infrastructure improvements; $77 million would go for new construction.
• Harper has managed its money well. It has applied, and been approved for, state grants to build a new Student Life Center and renovate the G and H buildings and the M building sports center - grants that will pay for 75 percent of the project costs. If the grants never materialize, Harper likely would have to pare back its projects list, but by that time much of the repairs will have been completed.
As well, the Harper Foundation has raised more than $8 million in private donations so far to pay for programs and scholarships - a big mark of confidence from the community.
• The Public Service Education Center, Harper's biggest building project not in line for a state grant, will be built mostly using the college's surplus funds. It's a worthwhile project - criminal justice is rapidly growing career field not likely to diminish anytime soon. While we support the project, we also support that most of the referendum money will go toward upkeep and renovation, not this new building.
Some residents may be troubled at hearing Breuder is a finalist for president of College of DuPage. But Breuder was retiring in 2009 anyway. And, this project has the endorsement of some valuable business and political leaders, led by the respected Bruce Crowther, CEO of Northwest Community Hospital and National Bank & Trust CEO Tom MacCarthy.
In the case of Harper College, the economy is actually a supporting argument for the tax increase. When the economy sours more people opt for school. Our young people, plus those of us who are retraining or finding new careers, need Harper now, more than ever.