ROSEBURG, Oregon – The Umpqua Community College (UCC) Board of Education has approved a tuition and fees increase for the upcoming academic year. The difficult decision to increase students’ costs comes after a months-long process at the College to contain costs, restructure operations, and create efficiencies.
In addition to a $4 per credit tuition increase and an additional $1 global technology fee, a $3 per credit instructional fee will be assessed on all students to cover the high instructional costs associated with labs and lecture/lab courses.
The Board was originally presented with a proposal to charge a $100 per lab fee. After listening to student and community feedback regarding the proposal, significant changes were made to next year’s plan.
We have been sensitive to students’ finances throughout this process, Dr. Debra Thatcher, UCC’s President, said. We’ve kept the cost as low as possible while still offering high-quality instruction in a personalized manner. Our priority is to keep college affordable and accessible.
When compared to other Oregon community colleges, UCC is competitively priced. Like its higher education peers, the College is facing enrollment declines and increasing personnel costs. UCC has three revenue sources for its general fund; state allocation, local taxes, and tuition and fees.
Like other community colleges, UCC has no control over the state’s allocation or property taxes, Natalya Brown, UCC’s interim Chief Financial Officer, said. Tuition and fees are the only revenue sources we can regulate, and we only request increases after putting all possible cost controls in place. The College has already made significant reductions in materials and services, and we are operating as leanly as possible.
It’s always horrible when you have to go through this, Board Director David Littlejohn said. But it was compelling to hear from students in this room that they like the idea of sharing the increase across the entire student body.
The increase, which goes into effect at the beginning of the academic year that starts with the summer term on June 25, will bring the College’s cost for in-state students to $97 per credit hour (not including fees). To focus on improved service to students, an office dedicated to recruitment and retention will also be implemented as part of this process.
About Umpqua Community College
Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities.
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