Oakton Community College raises tuition
The Oakton Community College board this week approved raising in-district tuition by $5, from $86 to $91 per credit hour, largely for operational needs, officials said Thursday.
The increase goes into effect this summer. Classes begin June 14.
College officials met with student leadership a few times to discuss the fee increase, which was initially supposed to be $6 but was reduced due to student feedback, college board Chairman Joan Dileonardi said.
"We still think it's better than most of the surrounding districts," she said. "The students were supportive because they see the need for it," Dileonardi said. "This whole process involved everybody."
Students negotiated a deal where 50 cents of the increase will go to the college's Student Government Association to be used toward additional scholarships and textbooks for students who demonstrate financial need. That's in addition to the $150,000 in funding the association already receives.
Another 50 cents will be used to fund student computer resources/services such as labs, and hardware and software upgrades at both campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie.
Oakton has about 10,000 students, of which roughly half are full time taking 12 or more credit hours per semester. Tuition fees also will increase for out-of-district and international students, that comprise a small percentage of the total population.
"It's the lowest increase in the area and it's pretty modest," OCC spokesman Bill Paige said of the 5.6 percent hike.
Many suburban community colleges are raising fees to make up for late payments from the state.
In February, the boards of Palatine-based Harper Community College and the College of Lake County in Grayslake each voted to raise tuition citing the Illinois budget crisis.
The state has warned community colleges that they will likely get only half their annual appropriations for 2010 and 2011. The state's 39 community colleges could lose about $148 million in funding this year despite an overall 10 percent to 12 percent spike in student enrollment.
"We are not doing as bad as others are," Paige said. "We've received second payments (for 2009-10 school year) that other schools haven't received yet. We're trying to avoid cutting services to students."
Harper's $8.50-credit-hour increase starts this summer, while CLC's $9 per credit hour increase - the school's first fee hike in two years - takes effect July 1 at the start of the next fiscal year.
Harper also has delayed filling vacant positions, cut department budgets and reduced utility usage and other operating costs. CLC has approved higher comprehensive, continuing education and theater facility fees, and raised out-of-district tuition and out-of-state tuition by $24 and $33, respectively.
College of DuPage has the highest tuition among the collar counties at $99.15 per credit hour next school year.
Elgin Community College opted not to raise tuition fees despite the recession and a 15.3 percent enrollment spike. For four years in a row, the college has maintained its $91 per credit hour tuition fee making it among the lowest.