JAMESTOWN - Students working to earn a degree for the 2012-2013 year will be spending about the cost of an additional textbook more each semester.
New York state residents attending Jamestown Community College will be facing a $75 per semester tuition increase, while non-New York state residents will have a $150 per semester increase. The JCC Board of Trustees approved its 2012-13 budget, which includes the tuition increase, during Tuesday's meeting.
"As maintaining access to higher education is always a priority for us, we are mindful of the impact of tuition increases on our students. We believe this increase will be offset by financial aid for most of our students, particularly those in greatest need. Students at many of the State University of New York's community colleges will see similar increases, as will students attending other two- and four-year colleges and universities across the nation," said John Garfoot, JCC vice president and dean of administration.
The budget for the 2012-13 school year is $33,994,003, which is a 2.5 percent increase from the 2011-12 budget. Only one member voted against the budget.
"Given the continued economic uncertainty in our state, country, and throughout the world, this was yet another challenging budget to build. The approved budget includes a state aid amount of $2,272 per full-time equivalent student. While up over last year, this rate only partially offsets the cumulative reduction of $553 absorbed from mid-year during 2009-10 through last year. While we are grateful for this year's increase, the per FTE rate is still well below the 40 percent commitment the state made many year ago, and there is no firm commitment to further restore state aid in the future. The state striving to reach a 33 percent level of participation," said Gregory T. DeCinque, JCC president.
College officials built the budget on a projected full-time-equivalent enrollment of 3,375, which is a decrease from the 3,515 FTEs on which last year's budget was based.
"The budget is based on a smaller entering freshman class due to a decline in regional high school graduates. We believe it is wise to continue to be conservative with the enrollment estimates upon which our budget is based," DeCinque said.
The board also adopted a resolution supporting registration of the Industrial Maintenance Technology Certificate at its meeting.
"We are very supportive of the idea that we are expanding and creating programs that will lead to employment," said Mark Ward, board member.
With the support of the Board of Trustees, an application will be submitted to the State University of New York and to the New York State Education Department to register the Maintenance Technology Certificate. Courses will be available beginning in Fall 2012; however, the certificate will not be available until approved by the appropriate avenues.
During Tuesday's meeting, the Board of Trustees also discussed the Tobacco-Free Policy. Last week, the State University of New York Board of Trustees passed a resolution to support a Tobacco-Free SUNY Policy and the development of New York state legislation that bans the use of tobacco on grounds and facilities and in vehicles owned, leased, or controlled by SUNY.
The board received information on this policy and discussed phasing it in over the course of a year.
