MHCC BUDGET PLAN SET: NO TUITION HIKE DUE

The MHCC District Board in April adopted a proposed General Fund budget of $83.8 million for the 2021-22 academic year, which is the biggest component of the proposed college operating budget of $199 million.

Final approval of the budget plan is expected after the board holds a formal local tax district public hearing (by Zoom) at 6:30 p.m. on June 16.

The biggest takeaway for students: There won’t be any tuition increases for 2021-22.

There will be a significant change on how student fees are charged: Most are being changed to a per-credit rate charged to each student, instead of a flat fee.

For instance, a new, per-credit charge of $3.50 will replace this year’s flat charge for the Safety and Security Access Fee (formerly the Access Fee), previously $39; the College Services Fee ($49); and Instructional Access and Support Fee (formerly the Distance Learning Fee) ($55).

This essentially means that there will be a price cut for students who are taking 10 credits or less per term, but an increase for those taking more than 10 credits.

In the latter case, the fees are capped at $52.50 per term (equivalent to 15 credits).

Ultimately, the biggest help in avoiding serious budget or program cutbacks for MHCC next year is $3 million in federal dollars earmarked for pandemic relief, which are one-time funds passed via Salem through the state’s higher education authority.

The Mt. Hood budget plan also assumes a 3% increase both in local property taxes collected and in direct community college funding from the Oregon Legislature’s higher education budget – as the state’s economy appears to be recovering from COVID-19 shutdowns.

To view the proposed budget plan and detailed documentation, see: https://www.mhcc.edu/BudgetOffice/