LBCC Board Approves Tuition Increase

Oregon’s November revenue forecast offered little relief to Linn-Benton Community College’s $2.6 million shortfall in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

The current year shortfall is a direct result of a reduction in state support from the originally appropriated $450.5 million to the current $416 million in support for Oregon’s 17 community colleges.

“I, along with many others, had hoped that the $60 million increase in the recent forecast might provide us with some relief from this current year’s fiscal challenges,” stated LBCC President Greg Hamann. “But this increase amounts to less than one-half of one percent of total state revenue, so we do not anticipate any increase in state funding for LBCC.”

The LBCC Board of Education approved a tuition increase of $7 per credit hour beginning winter term 2011 at its Wednesday, Nov. 19 meeting. The board has directed the college to make reductions in personnel costs and operations in addition to increasing tuition.

“This tuition increase is the student’s share of the effort to close the funding gap,” said President Greg Hamann. Forty percent of the gap will be covered by the tuition increase, while 60 percent will be addressed through the college’s projected general fund ending balance and reductions in personnel costs through concessions, compensation and/or personnel reductions, Hamann added.

In-state students – defined as those from Oregon and bordering states of Washington, Idaho, Nevada and California – will pay $84 per credit in tuition and fees up from $77 fall term.

As a result of this increase, tuition will now cover 50 percent of the cost of the student’s education, up from 31 percent three years ago.

“It is a sad statement that lower- and middle-income students have to pay 50 percent of their education while state support continues to decline,” noted LBCC board member Penny York.

Students were included in the process at a series of public forums held prior to Wednesday’s board meeting to gather input on the recommended increase.

Registration for winter term begins Dec. 6, with classes starting on Jan. 3, 2011.

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