Sinclair Community College President Steven Johnson said his trips to Columbus not only involve increasing state funding for the college, but also help avoid losing funds.
On an inflation-adjusted, per-student basis, Johnson said Sinclair’s state funding has decreased over the last 10 years.
“We’re concerned that it will continue to fall,” he said.
Johnson said his work in Columbus is based on relationships with the Ohio Board of Regents and Gov. Ted Strickland.
“The reason why those relationships are important is that about 40 percent of the funding for Sinclair comes from the state each year,” he said. “That’s about $45 million coming from the state and that money is so students don’t have to pay for their tuition because it’s being subsidized by the state.”
The current funding formula used by the state is “primarily based on full-time enrollment,” Johnson said. Sinclair is the third largest community college in Ohio behind Columbus State and Cuyahoga.
Johnson’s trips to Columbus also provide the state with information on Sinclair’s costs and effectiveness. Johnson said the process that determines the amount of funding schools receive is switching to a performance-based formula that rewards schools that have a high mark in student performance.
“The better your students do the more money you get,” Johnson said.
Possible rise in tuition
Johnson said the Board of Trustees vote on a potential tuition increase during the next meeting in May.
“What you can expect is the possibility of a 3.5 percent increase in tuition.” Johnson said.
Sinclair previously bumped tuition by 3.5 percent during winter quarter. Sinclair continues to have the lowest tuition in the state at an annual $2,050 for full-time Montgomery County residents.
For a visual summary of Sinclair’s financial information, click here.
Mason expansion
When Courseview Campus flooded with more than 1,000 students this year, Johnson said it became clear that Sinclair needed to advance to the next phase for the off-campus location.
“We need to double the size of (Courseview). One way or the other, we need another 10 classrooms,” he said.
Johnson said the college is looking at purchasing one of the buildings next door to the Mason campus and the decision should be made within the next few months.
“We’re really trying to find out what we’re going to specifically do on our expansion with Courseview in Mason,” he said. “That’s one thing I want to figure out before the end of the year.”
Senior VP moves on
After four years spent at Sinclair, Senior Vice President Robert Johnson is moving on to Becker College in Worcester, Mass. where he has been selected as president. Steven Johnson said the senior vice president was a key piece in restructuring marketing, financial aid and admissions.
Johnson said he and Robert Johnson accomplished a lot over the last four years including the passing a 10-year, $3.2 million levy in 2008. President Johnson said he has not made any decisions on the senior vice president position.