Harper tuition to go up 6 percent

The cost is going up for students at Harper College in Palatine.

Trustees on Tuesday approved nearly a 6 percent tuition hike starting this summer. Officials say the $5-per-credit-hour increase will help offset state funding cuts.

For an average, full-time student who takes 30 credit hours, this translates to an increase of $150, to $3,120 per year.

"Every year, this is the most difficult subject we address," said board Chairman Laurie Stone. "We're very regretful when we have to present the student body with an increase."

But Stone said the college has a fiscal responsibility to taxpayers to keep the college running. And with dwindling state funding for higher education, tuition increases are a must.

In Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed budget, state general support of public universities would drop by nearly $11 million. Harper officials say state funding is at an all all-time low since the college began operating in 1967.

Student Trustee Carlos Borro told the board that he and the student senate do not agree with the increase.

"There are concerns with the continued decline of state funding," he said. "For this reason, the student senate made a statement by voting 7 to 1 against supporting a $5-per-credit-hour tuition increase."

Borro also urged Harper to partner with the community and urge the state to comply with their financial responsibilities by way of town hall meetings, working closer with other community colleges or lobbying downstate for fair funding.

Officials say that over the past six years, state funding at Harper has dropped about $4.4 million.

Trustees approved the increase 6-0. Board member David Hill did not attend.