A technology fee increase was approved unanimously by Sinclair Community College’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Sept.14, increasing Montgomery county student’s tuition by $3 a credit hour. The increase will start taking place this Winter quarter and will raise around $5 million to help update technology and online courses, according to Natasha Baker, director of college relations.
Other Ohio residents, out of state and international students will see the same $3 increase but with an additional $1 surcharge to maintain “a balance in differentiation between in- and out-of-county tuitions” and to “help pay for the rising cost of technology and student success programs, services, and systems that directly benefit all Sinclair students,” according to the board agenda.
For students taking 15 credit hours the fee will annually add approximately $135 to student’s tuition for in-county residents and $180 for out-of-county/state residents.
There are about 150 rooms that need multimedia, with installation costs ranging from $10,000 – $20,000 per room, Baker said in an email.
“In addition, there are substantial operating costs (people and software) to ensure management of installations and daily operations so that faculty and students have quality, reliable systems for teaching and learning,” Baker said.
The continuing enrollment increase at the college, 26,100 students as of Tuesday for fall quarter, less revenue than ever coming in and tuition being froze 12 of the last 19 years, are all reasons for the college needing to raise tuition, according to Baker. The college is also finding other ways to make up for loss finances.
“The college has worked very hard to increase efficiencies across the board. We have also applied and received more grant funding in the past several years,” Baker said. “Finally, the Sinclair Foundation is continually seeking additional funding to provide even more scholarships to students.”