by Chris Hanna
Next semester, TC students may notice a rise in tuition. Due to Governor Clements’ line-item veto, the TC budget was cut by $330,000 and, next year, another $370,000 will have to be removed. That is nearly $700,000 over two years.
According to Frank Coleman, dean of business affairs, the funds for the 1987 fall semester had already been appropriated before the veto had taken place.
“The veto only affected community junior colleges,” he said. “These budget cuts will raise probably less than half of the amount of the veto. We didn’t attempt to recover the full amount,” Coleman said.
He also said that we can “hopefully” make it until the next session, where it is possible that the monies will be refurbished.
“The changes in the tuition were made to be as little as possible, but some uniform code has been approved,” Coleman said.
The increase in tuition depends on the number of hours each student enrolls for. For instance, if a student enrolls for 12 credit hours, $27 will be added for out-of-district students and there will be an increase of $18 for in-district students. In the area of clock-hour programs, there will be an increase of $20 per quarter for full-time students and $10 for half-time students.
It is possible for students who enroll for 19 hours or more to actually pay less than before. With the $300 tuition cap, a student, enrolling in 19 hours, will only pay $300 tuition as compared to the previous $305.
It is certain that students will notice the increase in rates, but Coleman doesn’t believe it will have an adverse effect on the number of students.
“I do not believe it will cause many students to not come back next semester,” he said. “If students want it bad enough, a few dollars won’t make a difference.”