The Yavapai College Governing Board Tuesday approved a $4 per credit hour tuition increase, a 15 percent increase in dorm fees, a 5 percent increase in meal plan fees and an out-of-state tuition increase consistent with increases in general tuition.
Student reaction was mixed.
"The tuition increase is OK with me," Yavapai College career training student Nolan Akin said. "I understand the economy."
Akin, along with Catherine Cuda and Suzy Gerhart, thinks that even with a $4 per credit hour tuition increase, Yavapai College is a "great deal."
While some students thought the tuition increase is reasonable, a 15 percent hike in dorm fees was too much for others.
"It is a pretty big step, and the costs were high already," said dorm resident Megan Franklin, who does not pay room and board because she is a residence assistant. "If I wasn't an RA, I wouldn't be here."
Daniel Duran said room and board is part of his scholarship, but the increase "is gonna suck. I know a lot of students who have moved out of the dorm because they could not afford to stay."
Duran said if the college increases the dorm rate, it should "make improvements. If they raise the cost of meal plans, they should increase the food."
On Feb. 16, Vice President of Administrative Services Bob Lynch recommended the dorm increase to "offset the approximate $575,000 per year subsidy from the general tuition and fees to support the annual operations and maintenance of the residence halls."
The 5 percent increase in meal plan costs reflects an anticipated 5 percent increase in food costs from the college's food service provider.
The board's action on Tuesday increases Yavapai College's tuition from $58 per credit hour to $62 per credit hour. A student enrolled in the maximum 18 hours per semester would pay an additional $72 per semester.
"It is still cheaper than Phoenix community colleges," Cuda said. "It is not a huge increase."
Gerhart thinks the increase "is worth it. The teachers here are great. If the money is needed for teacher pay, our teachers deserve it."
Akin knows the college has to "come up with the money somehow" because of declining support from the state.
"If I have to pay a little more per credit hour, that is fine with me, especially with the great facilities we have here," Akin said.
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
BUBBA FREEMAN
Hey Putin without the “stupid drone planes” you would not have the freedom this great country affords it citizens. It is the government’s responsibility to have a strong military not to coddle us in every aspect of our lives. First with FDR then in the 60’s this country started down the path of the entitlement mentality. We are drowning in debt and yet the government is talking of more entitlements. Putin someone has to pay the bill, and unfortunately it is being passed on to the young.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
Punish Students
Maybe the board could stop traveling until the budget crisis is over.
Maybe the college could stop putting up custom printed and framed Bill of Rights in every classroom district wide until the budget crisis is over.
Maybe the cuts could start at the top.
Maybe Horton could put out a coherent video message instead of a rambling 10 minute embarrassment.
Maybe we could have some leadership.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Article comment by:
V Putin
Community college should be free for young people. I am not suprised that Americans cannot compete with the rest of the world. Stop building a stupid drone planes flying over Afghanistan and invest in your kids.
