By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

For the first time in four years, in-district students at Lake Michigan College will see an increase in tuition rates.

The 6.2 percent hike was approved this week by the LMC board of trustees and will be effective this coming school year.

Per contact hour tuition rates will be $77 for those who live in the LMC property tax district, a $4.50 increase; $114 for in-state students, a $6 increase; $149 for out-of-state students, a $7 increase; and $163 for international students, a $21 increase. In addition, the technology fee will increase $1 per contact hour to $9.

LMC President Robert Harrison said a decrease in state allocations and an estimated 10 to 12 percent increase in health care costs led to the decision to increase tuition rates.

He also added that all public entities that rely on property taxes are struggling financially.
Harrison said the college has been able to avoid tuition hikes the past several years due to a 30 percent increase in student enrollment over the past two years and college employees shouldering more of the health care costs.

“We’ve also been frugal with salary increases,” Harrison said. “We’re being mindful of the local economy in our decisions.”

Pat Moody, chairman of the LMC Board, said the increases were needed for the college to stay competitive in programs and instruction.

“We commend the college for striving to keep tuition rates stable over the past few years,” he said. “It’s never an easy decision for this board to increase what we charge our students. However, we have to balance that with the need to maintain quality and move the college forward in the programs and services we are offering to this region.”

Graduation set for Sunday

More than 490 Lake Michigan College students are set to graduate on Sunday, the largest class in the college’s history. Commencement will take place at 2 p.m. at the LMC Mendel Center.

“We’re very excited about commencement with the number of students and their personal stories,” Harrison said. “All of them will add value to the local economy and I am pleased with their success.”

Twenty-eight of the graduates are from Niles.