Northwest Community College tuition fees will increase by two per cent this fall.
Despite students protests and worries from some board members that the college doesn’t have a final budget, the increase – amounting to $50,000 – was voted in today.
Student representatives raised concerns that increasing fees would increase expenses and decrease enrollment, making little difference to the college’s goal of eliminating a $1.1 million deficit.
In response to concerns about enrollment decreases, NWCC president Denise Henning explained tuition fees play only one part in attracting students to programs.
“We’re always concerned about enrollment,” she said. “We’ll be addressing enrollment issues and such in our strategic planning.”
College board chair Rhoda Witherly said program offerings also play a key role in attracting students.
If the increase was not approved, the equivalent dollar value would have to be cut from programs, she warned.
The board did not vote on program cuts today as a draft budget won’t be available until further discussion with the school’s education council.
So while it is not yet clear what will be cut from the budget to reduce the deficit, most board members voted in favour of reducing cuts by raising fees.
“We have to look at the overall picture for the institution,” said Henning afterward.
“Tuition is not the major revenue for the institution but it’s an important factor in our growth and development,” she said. “But it’s an important factor to students so trying to be sensitive to all people’s needs is one that’s very difficult.”
NWCC student union representative Mikael Jensen is not pleased with the decision.
“Students don’t even know what services will be available to them,” he said. “But now they have to pay more.”
Colleges can only raise tuition by a maximum two per cent each year and some colleges have decided not to raise tuition this year.
