North Central Missouri College students will see a small increase in the cost to attend class next year following action taken Tuesday evening by the college’s board of trustees, who also approved the employment of all full-time faculty members and several other employees.
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North Central Missouri College students will see a small increase in the cost to attend class next year following action taken Tuesday evening by the college’s board of trustees, who also approved the employment of all full-time faculty members and several other employees.
On the recommendation of Dean of Student Services Joanna Anderson, the board approved an overall increase of approximately 4 percent in tuition/fees for in-district, in-state and out-of-state students and a 4.3 percent increase in room and board. In addition, the board voted to implement a one-time application fee of $15 and an on-line course fee of $5 per credit hour.
Under the new rates, an in-district student will pay $58 per credit hour, while a Missouri resident student from outside the district will pay $88 per credit hour. Out-of-state students will pay $125 per credit hour. The student development fee will increase $1 per credit hour to $8 per credit hour up to a maximum of $144 per semester. A facilities fee was also increase by $1 to $8 per credit hour and is not charged to high school students earning dual credit.
Tuition rates for students earning credit through outreach or on-line courses will pay $100 per credit hour, while those taking courses by arrangement will pay $130 per credit hour. Students taking dual credit courses within the NCMC district will pay $58 per credit hour if they are in in-district student or $87 if they are a Missouri resident from outside the district. Those taking dual credit courses at sites outside the NCMC district will pay $87 per credit hour. The cost to take dual credit courses was not increased, Mrs. Anderson said, in an effort to stay competitive with other institutions offering such classes.
Mrs. Anderson said that the overall annual increase in tuition/fees for someone enrolling for two semesters at 15 hours each would be $90 for an in-district student; $120 for a Missouri resident from outside the district; and $180 for an out-of-state student. She also noted that out-of-state students living within 100 miles of the NCMC service region boundary receive the Missouri resident rate.
The board approved an increase of 5 percent in room rates for the college’s residence halls, making the 2006-2007 rate $2,358 for double occupancy and $3,407 for a private room. Meal prices will increase 4 percent, totaling $1,979 for a 12-meal plan and $2,244 for a 17-meal plan. The standard room/board increase would be $188 annually or 84 cents per day.
In a discussion concerning the increase, board members noted that many four-year institutions are raising tuition 5 or 6 percent on amounts that are already larger than NCMC’s new rates. In addition, NCMC President Dr. Neil Nuttall said the increase is being made to cover the projected costs and that it would be irresponsible to not raise the rates to meet expenses.
Board members approved the purchase of a Microsoft campus agreement from Insight of Madison, WI for a total cost of $30,957.95 per year for three years. The agreement covers the license fees for the Microsoft software used throughout the college and allows students to purchase select programs through the bookstore at a greatly reduced cost. The funding for the agreement will come from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Enhance-ment Grant, Tech Prep, RTEC and Computing Services.
A bid was accepted from Adrian Cox of rural Trenton for a one-year lease of Metcalf Acres, the college farm. The annual rent will be $116.50 per acre for a total of $9,902.50 to be paid in two payments. In discussing Metcalf Acres and the college’s plans to construct an agricultural center on the Barton property southeast of Trenton, Dr. Nuttall said that he welcomes any input from the public about the future of Metcalf Acres. He noted that there is plenty of time to open a dialogue with the public about the issue and hopes that anyone with comments or suggestions will feel free to discuss them with him and other college officials.
The board approved the re-employment of all 29 full-time faculty members, with salaries to be determined at a later date. The board voted to hire Tina Totten of Mooresville as the Academic Reinforcement Center Learning Specialist, effective July 3, at a pay rate of $25,500. Leah Brinser of Trenton was hired as the payroll and benefits officer, effective today, at a pay rate of $11.81 per hour.
Teresa Oyler of Trenton was hired as an adjunct instructor, teaching newswriting, at a pay rate of $370 per credit hour for a one-day, three credit hour course. J. Kerry Presnell of Chillicothe was hired as an adjunct instructor to teach religion classes, beginning in the fall semester. Also hired were Jennifer Flinn of Springfield, who will serve as a part-time presenter in the NCMC Missouri Adult Education and Literacy PDC Program at a pay rate of $35 per hour, and Kayla Wire of Trenton, who will serve as a part-time AEL instructor at a pay rate of $10.50 per hour.
In other business, the board:
• voted to give emeritus status to Dr. Vicki Wheeler, who is retiring after serving at NCMC since 1976. The board acted upon a recommendation from the Faculty Standards Committee of the NCMC Faculty Senate.
• approved the annual audit.
• approved changes in the board policy manual in regard to employment contracts and to the classified staff policy manual in regard to contracts and work hours per week.
• reviewed a proclamation to be signed by Gov. Matt Blunt designating April as Community College Month in Missouri.
• heard a report from Dean of Instruction Dr. James Gardner on efforts to offer post-secondary programs at area prisons. He also reported that carpet is to be installed in the library and noted that a high school principal from London, England may be visiting the campus and said Susan Stull, a science instructor, will be attending the Great Teacher Workshop.
• heard a report from Mrs. Anderson on the career fair to be held April 5, with 43 exhibitors committed to the event. She also said spring and fall enrollment will begin next week, with this being the first time that returning students may register on-line.
• heard a report from Chief Fiscal Officer Sharon Barnett, who said the lawn care has been contracted this year and said the college will be involved in spring cleanup the week of May 6.
• heard a report from Dr. Nuttall on efforts to meet the needs of area manufacturers and partnership programs that would benefit vocational students. He and Dr. Wheeler discussed a plan that would have students at community colleges earn electives that would transfer to education degree programs at four-year colleges. He also noted that one of the needs of area businesses is for trained truck drivers and said the college may look at the possibility of offering such a program. Dr. Nuttall also praised the efforts of Trenton Community Developer Sean Burge in creating a Housing Assessment Report.
• heard a report from Director of Development Steve Maxey, who acknowledged a recent gift of $40,133.71 from the Elizabeth Barton Education Fund for 2006-2007 mentorships and the GED and Explore scholarships. The gift is a result of crop revenues shared with NCMC from the Barton farming operation and is one of the largest to be received by the college. He also recognized a $50,000 gift from the Modine Manufacturing Company Foundation, Inc. and many gifts given in memory of the late Ed Geyer, who had served as dean at the college. Maxey said the capital campaign has nearly reached the $4 million mark, with 87 percent of those funds coming from Grundy County.
• set a special meeting for Monday, April 17 at noon to certify the election results from the April 4 election and to reorganize. Another special meeting was scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 18 at which time the board will meet in conjunction with the NCMC Foundation. The board will also hold a retreat at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 to discuss the college’s long-range master plan and to review progress on the major gifts campaign.
• voted, following an executive session, to designate three individuals to act on behalf of the college in making decisions regarding annuities and/or trusts in the future, with two of the three signatures required to authorize all claims and property settlements. The individuals will include those holding the positions of college development director, college foundation treasurer and the chief financial officer.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 25.