Board talks tuition Increase

“Choices and Sustainability” was the theme to the April MHCC District board meeting, held on Wednesday, according to Mt. Hood President Debbie Derr.

Choices, as in choices provided for students, and further options concerning the budget and sustainability, as in keeping the school open.

In her address to the board, Derr said, “I think this is a particularly important budget (for the 2015-16 academic year), as we head into our 50 years of operation, and one that reflects a commitment to making the right choices for the future of the college.

“It is my goal to continue to move the college as rapidly as possible away from being reactionary in its decision making towards a position of being strategic, forward thinking, and committed to the success of our students, faculty, staff, and larger community in every choice we make,” she said.

After observing a moment of silence to honor recently deceased former MHCC board member Roger McDowell, the board got down to brass tacks.

Most concerns about the budget addressed by the board are banking on a predicted 6.5% drop in MHCC enrollment for next year. Predictions are typically based on unemployment rates in East Multnomah County, as well as enrollment trends. People are less likely to opt for higher education if they’re employed already.

Even though enrollment declined further than predictions for winter and spring term this year, Derr announced proudly that there would be no employee layoffs this year – as opposed to a year ago.

Student tuition rates are likely to increase, however.

If the MHCC board made budget reductions under consideration right now, students could see a tuition increase of 3.8 percent per credit hour for 2015-16. Board member Jim Zordich offered a possible option that would include a failsafe – essentially writing two budget plans: one if the Oregon Legislature doesn’t boost the amount of state funding for community colleges, which would likely include the tuition increase, and another, less-frugal version of the budget if state funding is boosted.