SMC sets new tuition and fee schedule, accepts grants

Published 7:51 pm Monday, March 24, 2008

By Staff
DOWAGIAC – The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees set tuition rates for the coming academic year, accepted gifts and grants and conducted other business during a regularly scheduled meeting for March held March 11 at the College's MTECsm facility on the Niles Area Campus.
The Board of Trustees adopted the tuition and fee schedule to be effective for the 2008 fall semester. Changes include a $4.25 per contact hour increase for in-district students, a $5.50 increase for out-of-district students, a $6.00 increase for out-of-state students, and an $8.25 increase for international students. The new contact hour rates will be: In-District $82.50 (up 5.4 percent from $78.25); In-State $105.25 (up 5.5 percent from $99.75); Out-of-State $113.75 (up 5.6 percent from $107.75); and International $146.25 (up 5.6 percent from $138.50). Additionally, trustees approved a $1.00 per hour increase in the College's registration fee and a $1.00 increase in the technology fee.
According to SMC President Dr. David Mathews, "Even with the new tuition rates, Southwestern Michigan College provides an outstanding educational value. Next year, total tuition and fees for a full-time student of SMC's district will still be less than $3,000 for the whole year. Moreover, SMC's tuition and fee costs will continue to be far less than half of those of Western Michigan University, less than a third of those at Michigan State University and Central Michigan University, and less than a quarter of the cost of the University of Michigan.
SMC Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews described the tuition adjustment in relation to total college revenues, "Tuition is one of the three major revenue sources that the College needs to operate. The other two are State aid and local millage. State support has declined by more than $1 million per year since 2001, and the Headlee rollback has reduced the college millage from 3.0 approved by the citizens of the College district to only 2.44 mills. The College will continue to aggressively control costs, reallocate expenditures, and obtain grant funding. Modest tuition increases such as those approved this evening will ensure that SMC remains affordable, and ensure that the College has the resources to maintain the highest quality academic programs and services.
"Southwestern Michigan College is completely committed to student success, and to providing students with the very best instruction, facilities, and equipment," continued Chairman Mathews. "As previously reported, SMC is in the top 10 percent of community colleges nationally in student success. At the same time that the College keeps tuition affordable, small tuition increases allow the College to purchase approximately $600,000 in new computers, software, and equipment each year to support the learning environment."
The following gifts and grants were received with a resolution of thanks from the Board of Trustees:
From Mr. Denton Kime, Niles, a contribution valued at $10,650.
From Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Jerdon, Dowagiac, a contribution in amount of $7,000.