Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees opened bids for construction of a major new architectural feature for the center of the Dowagiac campus, set tuition rates for the coming academic year, accepted gifts and grants and conducted other business during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 14, at the College’s M-TECsm facility on the Niles Area Campus.
At the meeting, the college opened bids for construction of “The Alumni Plaza” in the center quadrangle of the Dowagiac campus.
This elevated circular plaza with surrounding seating will be a gathering place for students, a site for outdoor performances and will be funded with proceeds from the sale of bricks and limestone bands inscribed with the names of graduates and supporters of Southwestern Michigan College.
According to Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews, “Alumni Plaza will honor the graduates of Southwestern Michigan College past, present and future, as well as supporters of the college, by creating an attractive site in the center of the Dowagiac campus where the names of graduates and supporters will be proudly displayed.
“Since its founding in 1964, over 12,000 students have graduated from Southwestern Michigan College and thousands more have taken individual classes. Their hard work and accomplishment, as well as the support provided by their family members, community members and businesses will be memorialized in the plaza and serve as an encouragement for the next generation of students and supporters.”
Beginning next month, alumni and friends can order a personalized brick or limestone band that will be placed within the new Alumni Plaza when it is constructed this summer.
Anyone wishing to receive an order form may contact SMC’s Development Office at (269) 782-1296.
Chairman Mathews continued, “Alumni Plaza is actually only the first part of an exciting two-part project. The college’s long-term plan is to add a 70-foot high landmark clock tower to the plaza as well. The college is currently seeking a donor to fund construction of the tower that will bear the name of the individual or organization that makes it possible. When this private funding has been secured, the clock tower will be able to be added to the plaza, hopefully within the next year or two. The Alumni Plaza and Clock Tower will add the finishing touch to the campus which will provide the physical atmosphere complementing the superior academic environment that SMC students enjoy.”
The Board of Trustees also adopted the tuition and fee schedule to be effective for the 2011 fall semester.
Changes include a $5.50 per contact hour increase for in-district students, a $7.75 increase for out-of-district students, an $8.75 increase for out-of-state students and a $12 increase for international students.
The new contact hour rates will be: In-District $99.25 (up 5.9 percent from $93.75); In-State $128.25 (up 6.4 percent from $120.50); Out-of-State $139.75 (up 6.7 percent from $131); and International $179 (up 7.2 percent from $167).
Additionally, trustees approved a $3 per hour increase in SMC’s registration fee and a $3 increase in the technology fee.
“Although state funding has yet to be finalized, state-mandated retirement costs are slated to increase by approximately 25 percent next year,” said SMC President Dr. David Mathews. “Even with these state-mandated cost increases, SMC’s frugal budgeting has enabled the college to remain an exceptional educational value. Next year, a student from SMC’s district will still be able to attend full-time for the whole academic year for approximately $3,500. This is far less than half the cost of Western Michigan University, less than a third of those at Michigan State University and Central Michigan University and about a quarter of the cost of the University of Michigan. The modest tuition increases such as those approved this evening will insure that SMC remains affordable, and also that the college has the resources to maintain the highest quality academic programs, support services and technology.”