Harper raises tuition with support of students, faculty

In a move that boasts the backing of both the student and faculty senates, a typical full-time Harper College student will pay an additional $60 per semester next year.

The board Wednesday unanimously approved raising tuition by $4 to a total of $106.50 per credit hour effective summer term 2012, a hike that maintains the Palatine school's ranking as the second-priciest area community college behind the College of DuPage.

Explaining why the Student Senate got onboard, President Kristina Shkaruba said, “We believe Harper College is outstanding with the quality of classes and activities that are offered here, and we just don't want to see that change.”

Shkaruba added that students don't want to see a tuition freeze now, only for a future class to be burdened by a more drastic increase. That happened in 2010, when tuition jumped by $8.50 after no change the prior year.

Technology and construction fees totaling $16 per credit hour won't change.

Harper officials say the tuition hike — the fifth in six years — is necessary because of decreasing support from the state and a drop in property tax revenue due to appeals.

Community colleges were founded with the idea that the state would fund one-third of per capita costs with tuition and property taxes covering the rest. Today, Harper President Ken Ender said the state accounts for about 6.5 percent of the budget, with tuition and property taxes covering 48 percent and 44 percent, respectively.

Officials also attributed the tuition increase to operational costs related to repairing and updating aging buildings.

The board addressed its tuition before other community colleges, but the upward trend will likely occur elsewhere.

College of DuPage spokesman Joe Moore said administrators anticipate recommending a $4 increase to $136 per credit hour including fees. He cited ongoing uncertainty about state funding and challenges such as continued softening in enrollment, higher medical insurance and utility costs, and an expected salary increase of 3.15 percent for all eligible employees.

Tuition at McHenry County College, Oakton Community College, College of Lake County, Elgin Community College and Waubonsee Community College currently ranges between $90 and $99 per credit hour. Fees are less at most of the schools.

Officials said that despite the tuition increase, a Harper student taking 30 credit hours will pay $3,675 per year, or less than half the tuition at Northern Illinois University and less than a tenth of the cost at Northwestern University.

Ender said that realistically, tuition will continue to rise. He said Harper will work to be upfront and predictable when it comes to the amount. There's also some talk of limiting tuition increases to the rate of inflation.

“Middle-class kids should be able to pay for their education (on their own) if they live at home with Mom and Dad, work full-time during the summer and part-time during the school year,” Ender said. “We've got to keep ourselves inside that type of goal, otherwise it does become unaffordable.”

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Christopher Placek contributed to this report.