Small Town News

Community colleges hit with cutbacks, but still a bargain

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Growing and cutting back at the same time isn't easy.

It's not exactly news that the economy isn't what it used to be. The economic downturn of the past few years has affected every area of life, from federal spending bills to the family budget.

For Texas community colleges, the hard economic times have meant increased enrollments as unemployed workers go back to class. Even traditional-age students are gravitating toward community colleges as their families' purse strings tighten.

Here at home in Henderson County, the enrollment at Trinity Valley Community College is no exception. Over the past two years, numbers have skyrocketed more than 20 percent. The past two semesters, the college has seen record enrollment numbers, topping 8,000 last fall.

"In these tough times, the value of community colleges has become more important than ever," said TVCC President Dr. Glendon Forgey. "And since TVCC has one of the lowest tuition rates in the state, many local students who are seeking a four-year education are choosing to come here first."

The extra numbers have been both a boon and a challenge, say TVCC administrators, as the college has worked to Find extra instructors to teach rapidly tilling classes.

But the biggest challenge may lie ahead, Texas legislators are expecting revenue shortfalls, and so cuts in the state budget could come as early as this fall. In September 2009, lexas Governor Rick Perry called for all state agencies to conduct a review of their expenses in anticipation of future cuts.

"We have already started preparing for a cut of between five and 10 percent over the next two years," said Forgey. "All of our departments have been told to scale back wherever possible."

For TVCC, that cut could be $1.2 million over the next 12 months and as much as $2.4 million over the next two years.

According to Steve Johnson, associate vice president for the Texas Association of Community Colleges, falling sales takes have caused the concern among legislators.

"Next session we could be looking at an 11 to 18 billion dollar deficit statewide. That's compounded for community colleges because, if the state has to make cuts, we are still estimating growth at 20-22 percent in the next two years," said Johnson.

For much of the past decade, many community colleges survived without tuition increases because of property values. During that time, values have increased dramatically, allowing community colleges to bring in extra income without raising either tax or tuition rates.

"Rising property values in the past have provided the freedom for (community college) districts to avoid tuition increases and program cuts, but that is no longer the case," said Johnson. Property values hitye flattened, he noted, and colleges can no longer rely on that increase to bring in income.

So, to offset the pressure caused by the anticipated state funding cuts, Johnson said both two- and four-year colleges are turning to tuition and fee increases to keep up with students' needs.

TVCC is no exception.

Earlier this year, the TVCC board approved a tuition fee increase schedule that calls for increases over the next four years. Under the plan, tuition will increase from the current rate of $42 per semester hour to $65 per semester hour by 2014.

However, said Forgey, the increases at TVCC are much more manageable than those going into place at larger schools.

Even after the increase, TVCC will still be well below the state average for community college tuition and fees. The state average by 2014 is expected to be $75 per semester hour.

Currently, the state average is $61 per semester hour. $ 19 more per hour than TVCC.

"While these increases bring us closer in line with the state average, we still pride ourselves on being one of the best values in the state," said Forgey. "TVCC has traditionally prided itself on providing affordable quality.

"Our 'value' is not just monetary. It is also in the emphasis the college places on the success of the student; our focus on providing the resources necessary to help our students succeed; and in our award winning programs, faculty and staff."

Currently, there are only four community colleges in Texas with tuition and fee rates lower than those at TVCC.

A full-time student - one who takes a class load of 12 semester hours - at TVCC pays a total of $504 in tuition and fees. According to the TACC, only T'exarkana College, College of the Mainland, Collin County Community College and Dallas County Community College have lower total costs for students taking the same class load.

When matched up with other community colleges in East Texas, TVCC currently has the lowest tuition rate in the region. TVCCs neighbors, Tyler Junior College and Navarro College have full-time costs of $848 and $621 respectively.

Even with increased tuition, Johnson said community college tuitions are nowhere even close to what it costs a student to attend a university.

And with four-year colleges also increasing tuition, said Johnson, community colleges can expect their enrollments to increase even more.

For example, earlier this year the University of Texas system announced across-the-board increases in its tuition and fee schedule.

The largest branch of the state's biggest college system. UT Austin, will increase tuition and fees 5.4 percent over the next 12 months. Currently, a student taking 15 semester hours is paying $8,936 per semester. That amount will increase to $9,418 for the 2010-11 school year.

Another increase will go into effect for the 2011-12 school year. That year, tuition will increase an additional 3.89 percent

"For students who are looking for a good way to start their education, the community college system is ideal." said Forgey. "A student who attends here for two years before moving onto a four-year education can literally save tens of thousands of dollars. That means a lot when it is time to pay those student loans."



Copyright 2010 The Malakoff News, Malakoff, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Malakoff News Malakoff, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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