FVCC to increase tuition slightly

The Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees has approved a tuition increase of $2 per credit for in-district, out-of-district and out-of-state students.

For in-district students, the increase amounts to a little more than 2 percent.

College President Jane Karas said the college requested the increase to maintain and sustain quality programs.

“We didn’t have any tuition increase at all last year,” she said at Monday’s board meeting. “None of us ever wants to raise tuition but our costs continue to go up.”

Karas said the college wants to avoid having a huge tuition spike in future years by making small adjustments as needed. She said students participated in the process either as members of the budget committee or by providing feedback by e-mail or other forms.

The head of the student government on campus told trustees that the senators and officers supported the tuition recommendation.

The board accepted the college budget committee’s recommendation of a $2 per credit tuition increase along with a $1.10 fee increase.

In-district students taking 14 to 18 credits will pay $1,792 per semester next fall, up $43.40 from this year.

As a result of the vote, tuition per credit will increase to:

n $95 for in-district students.

n $144 for out-of-district students.

n $350 for out-of-state students.

In other action, the trustees passed an updated smoking policy that adds chewing tobacco and similar products such as electronic cigarettes to the substances banned from all areas except designated enclosures or smoking areas.

Revisions added to the policy clarified the exclusion of use of tobacco products in all campus facilities, including all walkways and parking lots except inside individuals’ vehicles. Violators face disciplinary procedures.

College President Jane Karas said at the March meeting that the change in the policy was placed on the agenda after students complained about others using chewing tobacco in class. Also at that meeting, several faculty and staff asked trustees to institute or aim for a tobacco-free campus.

Jim Solar, a writing instructor, has appeared before the board several times to speak about the latest research on ill health effects of smoking and secondhand smoke. He provided information on the dangers of chemicals in mists from electronic cigarettes at the recent meeting.

Solar complained that people continue to smoke outside the designated enclosures in violation of the existing policy.

He was joined by three others in asking that the board consider following the example of the University of Montana, which has opted to go smoke-free by 2011.

At the earlier meeting, trustees debated the issue but were divided on whether a tobacco-free campus would help students quit or instead discourage them from seeking more education and training.

Karas announced at the Monday meeting the formation of a smoking policy committee to review the University of Montana’s tobacco-free plan as well as the comments and research presented at recent board meetings. Warren Tolley, director of human resources, will serve as chairman.

In other business, Mary Howard of the Student Assistance Foundation presented the college with a $58,553 grant for student financial aid. Since 2000, the college has received $291,020 through this program.

Grants are awarded each year to financial aid offices at all Montana postsecondary schools, including tribal and private institutions, two-year and four-year schools. Enrollment numbers determine the amounts awarded to each school.

During the president’s report, Karas announced that 325 students will graduate on May 14, making the 2010 class the largest in the college’s 42-year history.

Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau will speak at graduation.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.