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State funding cuts lead to fee increases
WESSON – The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees made the decision to raise student tuition and fees during its monthly meeting on the Wesson Campus. The increase comes as the community college system appropriation from the Mississippi legislature was reduced by $28 million or approximately 10 percent. Co-Lin’s portion was reduced by $1.2 million.
Co-Lin President Dr. Ronnie Nettles said that 15 of the state’s 15 community colleges are considering tuition increases. “It’s a necessity. We don’t want to, but in order to keep providing the service, training, and instruction our students deserve, we need to do this.”
Beginning in the fall 2017 semester, tuition for full-time students will be $1,400 per semester, an increase of $205. Part-time tuition will be $140 per semester hour, an increase of approximately $20 per semester credit hour.
Students living on campus in Wesson will also see their housing fees and meal tickets increase only $25 per semester.
“We will still be among the bottom third of the community colleges in tuition and fees in the state,” Nettles said.
In addition, there will be a $50 program fee for selected Career and Technical programs and some of the higher-cost career and technical programs will be charged a $75 fee.
“These instructional programs are effective and they have high job placement rates for students, but they are expensive to operate,” Nettles said. “The fee will help offset some of the expenses.”
Other student fees that will see an increase include technology fee ($15), student services fee ($5), MSVCC/online ($10), and dual enrollment ($25).
Since July 1, 2016, there have been four budgets cuts made by the Governor and our state appropriation has been reduced approximately $770,000. “We adjusted to those cuts in our appropriation by reducing spending, freezing vacant positions, and using our limited financial reserves,” Nettles said. “It has been a difficult year financially, but we succeeded in making cuts and not directly affecting our students, instruction, or the operation of the college.”
“We are asking our budget managers to cut their budgets 14.3 percent for the upcoming year,” Nettles said. “We will spend less money in travel, utilities, and commodities. These budget reductions will be difficult for some departments and the impact next year will be evident in many areas.
The only item to increase in the budget was student scholarships. The total scholarship budget now exceeds $1.5 million. The reason for the increase is, when tuition increases, tuition based scholarship expenses also increase. “The college will be evaluating the scholarship policies and procedures to ensure that we are making the best use of institutional scholarships and leveraging them to help the largest number of students possible,” Nettles said.
On the state and national level, leaders are asking colleges to produce more graduates. About 70 percent of jobs in the current economy require some education and training beyond high school, but not necessarily a four-year degree.
Mississippi community colleges are again being asked to do more with less funding.
In other action, the Board of Trustees:
• approved the 2017-2018 catalog as an official document of the college
• heard a report on the election of Board Officers and Executive Committee Members scheduled for the June Board meeting, Evaluation of President by the Board of Trustees, Board meeting dates for 2017- 2018, and relocation of the Board of Trustees’ Conference on July 7
• approved the employment of Lacye Schmidt as English Instructor at the Natchez Campus, effective July 31, 2017
• approved the transfer of Dr. Stephanie Duguid from Assistant Dean of Academic Instruction to Dean of Academic Instruction at the Wesson Campus, effective July 3, 2017
• heard a report on the resignation of Gwyn Young as Director of Athletics, effective June 30, 2017. Young will continue coaching the Lady Wolves Basketball Team
• approved the transfer of Bryan Nobile from Assistant Director of Athletics to Director of Athletics at the Wesson Campus, effective July 3, 2017. Nobile will continue to serve as Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant Baseball Coach
• heard reports on Awards Day at the Natchez and Wesson campuses and at the Simpson County Center, Hall of Fame recipients, and campus/student activities and graduation ceremonies
• approved and/or ratified purchase orders over $5,000.00
• approved the faculty salary schedule for FY ’18
• authorized the Administration to make a request to the County Boards of Supervisors for a 10 percent increase in support funds for FY ’18 according to and in compliance with state statue
• approved a five-year project request for capital needs for the college district
• heard a report on Calendar Hall and Mullen Gymnasium repairs and renovations, and an update on the women’s dormitory construction
