MCCCD governing board votes to raise resident tuition by $5 per credit hour

Joseph Starkloff

The MCCCD Governing Board voted to raise tuition by $5 per credit hour for in-state students and $241 per credit hour for undocumented students during the March 22 meeting.The hike for in-state students passed with a 4-1 vote. Board member Debra Pearson, the only no vote, told the board they were going for easy money instead of restructuring the schools finances.

“We are the educational opportunity for retooling and going for another job . for the family that is on the verge or just did lose their home. I find this (raise in tuition) insulting to them,” Pearson said.

Ryne O’Reilly, the ASMCC president, told the board that the ASMCC Senate supported the hike.

“We do not want to make a tuition increase the norm (but) this as a necessary evil. The state legislator cut our budget by quite a bit and this tuition increase barely covers a third of it,” he said.

He also complemented the board and administration for their recent fiscal decisions. It was announced during the meeting that administration had found $15 million in reductions the previous week.

While O’Reilly approved of the in-state tuition hike, he avoided providing a definitive answer on his view of the $241 per credit hour hike for undocumented students.

“It was not something that we were talked to a lot about. It’s tough, if you increase tuition in one place you have to increase it in another. It’s much more significant (but) I don’t think it was mean-spirited,” he said.

This was not the view held by Randolph Lumm, the board president, who was the only no vote on the undocumented student tuition hike.

“(Illegal) residents (who) could be living here 15 to 20 years now have to pay $316 per credit hour versus an out-of-state students who could stay here and the next year their paying in-state tuition ($76 per credit hour). I think it’s just mean-spirited,” Lumm said.

O’Reilly assured that there are resources available for undocumented students who couldn’t afford the tuition hike but was unable to name any.

“Undocumented or not the administration will be willing to help find resources that are available. I know that student government . is more than open to talk and discuss and find a solution,” he concluded.

Board member Dana Saar said the hike for undocumented students was needed for the schools to comply with state law. This was affirmed by the board’s legal advisor.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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