By JRNM 151 Students

The Lorain County Community College Board of Trustees approved an increase in tuition on Jan. 19, which generated mixed reaction among students.

The proposed increase, which will take effect beginning summer semester, will add $3.40 to each credit hour, boosting the price from $97 per hour to $100.40. It equates to a 3.5 percent increase in tuition, and is estimated to generate $700,000 per year.

The tuition hike is due to the $3.2 million cut in funding from the State Share of Instruction, according to LCCC officials.

Dr. Roy Church, LCCC president, said in a statement, “Our goal continues to be providing students with the services necessary to successfully complete their degree. The continued decline in state funding has regrettably put us in a position where we have to ask students to pay more”.

Jessie Metrick, a physical therapy student, was not really worried about the increase in tuition. “My parents pay for the tuition, while I pay for books,” Metrick said. “An increase of $3.40 per credit hour is not going to really affect them.”

Jiezeheng Meng, an international student studying English as second language, said the tuition increase does not affect him either, but that “it may affect other international students depending on what country they are from.”

A majority of students thought that the new pricing was still affordable, especially in comparison to other colleges.

 Other colleges charge more

Senaida Ortiz, a transfer student through Ashland University and a early childhood education major, said that while students paying out of pocket might feel the effects, her other college options were “considerably more than what she used to pay at LCCC.”

Jerad Gorski, a math major, felt indifferent about the cost increase. “One month of VA payment would be the same cost as one semester of classes for me,” he said, referring to the college’s veteran’s benefits.

Samantha Anderson, an accounting and financial services major, took a particular interest in this matter.  She is paying the tuition on her own and makes it clear that every dollar counts. The increase may seem like only a few Starbucks coffees a semester but the money that she will be paying over the course of her degree will add up quickly.  “Because I am doing a partnership with Hiram I will be at this campus for quite a while; changes in price definitely affect me.”

James Tanse, a robotics and automation technology and computer-aided machining major, said wasn’t pleased with the tuition hike.

“You could say that I’m upset,” Tanse said. “It’s frustrating, a lot of people pay for most or at least part of their college. My sister chose to go to a private college and my parents are going to be paying for it for the rest of their lives. I guess that’s part of the reason I chose to go here.”

Deonte’ Cowsette, an undecided major, said that “$3.40 will eventually turn into $340.00 and it’s not right.”

Tajah Davis, an early college student, commented: “If they increase the tuition, we students need better food variety other than just they market, along with extra curricular activities. For an example, cheerleading for the girls along with the support of our boys and even girl sports.”

Unhappy with the fee hike

Another student, Evangel Coleman, was also unhappy with the increase.  Coleman said that “a community college is for people who need help financially or because they have a busy life with either a family or work. With the economic times the way they are, the last thing we need is tuition increase.”

Justin Lawson, an engineering major, felt the fee hike could affect the student enrolment. “The cost of living is high enough already so I feel bad for people who actually have to pay for school,” he said.

Samantha Eddy, who is majoring in criminal justice, weighed in on the issue as well.  She said, “Well it definitely reduces my Financial Aid and cuts back the hours I can work so I can still get it.” Eddy, like Lawson, said that a decline in students would occur largely as a result of the cuts in budget allotted to LCCC and the raise in fee per credit hour.

Briana C.J. Holland, undecided major, disagreed. “I think it will only greatly affect people who have more than six credit hours per semester,” Holland said.

“People are already struggling,” said psychology major Zachary T. McGinnis. “The school should be making cuts in other places to save money rather than charging the students more.”

Other students such as Mike Hepner, a science of education major, are singing the same song. “The price raise is not a huge ordeal, it’s just a little annoying and a minor inconvenience.”

 Reported by Kayla Barnes, Shelby Griffith, Lisa Higginbotham, Leanna Maguire, Garbrielle Martinez, Matt Pahulick, Sarah Puskas, Drew Scofield and Chelsea Swiggett.