SCC Board Approves 0 Percent Tuition Increase
Tuition and fees at Southeast Community College were left at current rates for the coming academic year as the Board of Governors followed an administrative recommendation not to raise tuition during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday.
The Board approved the 0 percent increase by a 9-0 vote. Board members Helen Griffin and Carl Humphrey were absent.
The Board cited several factors in its decision. The rate will be in effect from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.
"These are extraordinary times," said Board member Jim Garver of Lincoln. "This is one thing we can do for our population. This is a great message, a great gift. Also, the Legislature has stepped up with funding, and we have to be thankful for that."
Tuition per quarter credit hour for Nebraska residents will remain at the current rate of $47, while fees will remain $1 per quarter credit hour for a total of $48. Non-resident tuition also will remain at the current rate, $57.50 per quarter credit hour, plus $1 per quarter credit hour in fees. SCC's in-state rate converts to $72 per semester credit hour.
Dr. Jack Huck, SCC president, said the recommendation not to raise tuition came after a series of meetings with various campus groups, a practice he's maintained for the past 15 years. Huck said five tuition rate options were presented to each group, ranging from the 0 percent increase that was approved to a $2 per hour increase (4.26 percent).
"We discussed this with the Student Senates on each campus, our Board of Governors, our administrative team, and our CEO Advisory Team," Huck said. "The theme that evolved from all the groups was a clear recognition of the difficult economy we face and the impact it has on students. All of our constituencies said let's keep the tuition increase to a minimum and, ideally, hold it to no increase if it's possible to do that."
Board Chair Nancy Seim of Lincoln said she was pleased to be able to keep tuition and fees at the current rates.
"We're an extraordinary college, and this is an extraordinary gift," she said.
Along with tough economic times, the recent increase in enrollment also led to the Board's decision.
"The enrollment increases we've experienced provide additional revenue, which allowed us to make the decision on holding tuition," Huck said. "Increased enrollment is very positive for us, and even more so during these challenging economic times."
Regardless of the health of the economy, SCC has always maintained a high value, not only for students who wish to transfer to a four-year institution, but to those who seek employment after earning a degree from SCC.
"At SCC, students graduate with a very marketable set of skills," Huck said. "Unemployment is not omnipresent in technically skilled areas. In certain technical fields, the unemployment rate is not the same as the overall picture. That's why I think we're (SCC) in the right place in terms of present and future economies."
In 2007, 94 percent of SCC's 1,594 graduates found jobs or continued their education, an example of the value the College provides.
Here's how SCC compares to the other community college districts in the state regarding tuition and fees. All rates have been converted to semesters.
2008-09 Rate Central Metro Mid-Plains Northeast Western
Tuition 66.00 64.50 65.00 64.00 66.00
Fees 7.00 7.50 14.00 14.00 13.00
Total 73.00 72.00 79.00 78.00 79.00
2009-10 Rate Approved Estimate Approved Set 3/12 Set in April
Tuition 70.00 66.00 67.00 67.00 68.00
Fees 7.00 7.50 14.00 14.00 13.00
Total 77.00 73.50 81.00 81.00 81.00
Following is SCC's historical tuition quarter credit hour rates:
Year Qtr. Cr. Hr. % Increase Hrs. Charged
2010 47.00 0.00% All
2009 47.00 4.44% All
2008 45.00 7.14% All
2007 42.00 7.69% All
2006 39.00 8.33% All
2005 36.00 7.46% All
2004 33.50 6.35% All
2003 31.50 5.00% All
2002 30.00 3.45% All
2001 29.00 1.75% 22
2000 28.50 3.64% 20
For more information, contact:
Stu Osterthun
Administrative Director of Public Information and Marketing
(402) 323-3401
sosterthun@southeast.edu
The Board approved the 0 percent increase by a 9-0 vote. Board members Helen Griffin and Carl Humphrey were absent.
The Board cited several factors in its decision. The rate will be in effect from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.
"These are extraordinary times," said Board member Jim Garver of Lincoln. "This is one thing we can do for our population. This is a great message, a great gift. Also, the Legislature has stepped up with funding, and we have to be thankful for that."
Tuition per quarter credit hour for Nebraska residents will remain at the current rate of $47, while fees will remain $1 per quarter credit hour for a total of $48. Non-resident tuition also will remain at the current rate, $57.50 per quarter credit hour, plus $1 per quarter credit hour in fees. SCC's in-state rate converts to $72 per semester credit hour.
Dr. Jack Huck, SCC president, said the recommendation not to raise tuition came after a series of meetings with various campus groups, a practice he's maintained for the past 15 years. Huck said five tuition rate options were presented to each group, ranging from the 0 percent increase that was approved to a $2 per hour increase (4.26 percent).
"We discussed this with the Student Senates on each campus, our Board of Governors, our administrative team, and our CEO Advisory Team," Huck said. "The theme that evolved from all the groups was a clear recognition of the difficult economy we face and the impact it has on students. All of our constituencies said let's keep the tuition increase to a minimum and, ideally, hold it to no increase if it's possible to do that."
Board Chair Nancy Seim of Lincoln said she was pleased to be able to keep tuition and fees at the current rates.
"We're an extraordinary college, and this is an extraordinary gift," she said.
Along with tough economic times, the recent increase in enrollment also led to the Board's decision.
"The enrollment increases we've experienced provide additional revenue, which allowed us to make the decision on holding tuition," Huck said. "Increased enrollment is very positive for us, and even more so during these challenging economic times."
Regardless of the health of the economy, SCC has always maintained a high value, not only for students who wish to transfer to a four-year institution, but to those who seek employment after earning a degree from SCC.
"At SCC, students graduate with a very marketable set of skills," Huck said. "Unemployment is not omnipresent in technically skilled areas. In certain technical fields, the unemployment rate is not the same as the overall picture. That's why I think we're (SCC) in the right place in terms of present and future economies."
In 2007, 94 percent of SCC's 1,594 graduates found jobs or continued their education, an example of the value the College provides.
Here's how SCC compares to the other community college districts in the state regarding tuition and fees. All rates have been converted to semesters.
2008-09 Rate Central Metro Mid-Plains Northeast Western
Tuition 66.00 64.50 65.00 64.00 66.00
Fees 7.00 7.50 14.00 14.00 13.00
Total 73.00 72.00 79.00 78.00 79.00
2009-10 Rate Approved Estimate Approved Set 3/12 Set in April
Tuition 70.00 66.00 67.00 67.00 68.00
Fees 7.00 7.50 14.00 14.00 13.00
Total 77.00 73.50 81.00 81.00 81.00
Following is SCC's historical tuition quarter credit hour rates:
Year Qtr. Cr. Hr. % Increase Hrs. Charged
2010 47.00 0.00% All
2009 47.00 4.44% All
2008 45.00 7.14% All
2007 42.00 7.69% All
2006 39.00 8.33% All
2005 36.00 7.46% All
2004 33.50 6.35% All
2003 31.50 5.00% All
2002 30.00 3.45% All
2001 29.00 1.75% 22
2000 28.50 3.64% 20
For more information, contact:
Stu Osterthun
Administrative Director of Public Information and Marketing
(402) 323-3401
sosterthun@southeast.edu
