WSCC, Athens tuition could rise

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October 21, 2009

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Wed Oct 21, 2009, 06:00 PM CDT

CULLMAN — Tuition at Wallace State in Hanceville and Athens State could be on the rise as soon as this spring, if the state school board approves a new plan to raise the fees.

The state school board is considering a tuition hike of approximately 15 percent at the state’s community and technical colleges to make up for lost revenue.

The board is considering a plan that would raise the cost of a year of community college for the typical student by $420, bringing the annual bill to $3,120. The proposal would raise tuition for each credit hour of classes from $71 to $90.

Under the proposal, tuition would rise to $85 a credit hour in the coming spring semester and to $90 in the fall. It would then automatically increase 2 percent each year starting in 2011.

Athens State University — which offers classes at the Wallace State campus — is requesting a $7 increase per credit hour as part of the proposal.

The 26 two-year colleges in Alabama have lost more than $90 million in state funding in the past two years, mostly due to a prorated state education budget brought on by dwindling state revenue. To continue operating at the current level, Wallace State President Vicki Hawsey said the increase is essential.

“Wallace State is already an under-funded institution,” she said. “Coupled with the proration we have incurred we are at 2004-2005 funding levels by state appropriations.”

The college is currently seeing record enrollment, which Hawsey said is already stretching the college’s limited staff.

“Without this funding, we’re in danger of not having adequate personnel,” she said. “This is the last thing we want to do for our students, but we’re at a point where we have no choice ... Luckily, recent increases in pell grants should be able to cover the increase.”

Across the state, the tuition increases could raise revenue by as much as $38 million overall. Though the influx will help, Hawsey said it will still not make up for state budget cuts that have been incurred the past few years.

“The two-year college system has already taken a $93 million cut,” she said. “This will help us maintain a quality educational environment to serve our students and help us be able to meet our mission.”

The proposal is expected to be on the agenda for the board’s next meeting on October 22.

Two-year college tuition costs have not been adjusted since 2004.

* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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WSCC, Athens tuition could rise

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