May 2011 Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees

At the May regular meeting of the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees, tuition rates for 2011-12 were determined. GCC students will see an increase in tuition this upcoming year. In-district tuition will increase by $6 per credit hour from $90 to $96 per credit hour; $12 out-of-district and Wisconsin Reciprocity tuition from $116 to $128 per credit hour; out-of-state tuition will increase by $14 from $144 to $158 per credit hour; and international tuition will increase by $22 from $223 to $245 per credit hour.

“Gogebic Community College continues to offer competitive tuition rates compared to other colleges and universities,” said Erik Guenard, Dean of Business. “With 42.5 percent of the college’s revenue being derived from state appropriations, the anticipated funding from state sources will create a difficult operating revenue environment for the next several years. However, GCC is working diligently to keep expenses for students as low as we possibly can.”

The gross impact of the proposed increase for the average full-time student expense would be $90 per semester for in-district Gogebic County students and $180 per semester for other Michigan and Wisconsin reciprocity area students, which includes Iron County, Wisconsin.

In other action, the Board:

· Approved the interim capital outlay list to prepare for the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year. This list includes items such as computers and related instructional technology and lab equipment.

· Approved a one-year contract with Karoub & Associates, of Lansing, for lobbying/consulting services. They have been identified as one of the top ten effective Lansing-based lobbying firms based on reputation, integrity, and success. Matt Kurta, former Ironwood resident and GCC alum, is employed by Karoub & Associates and will serve as one of the College’s contacts with the firm.

· Approved no increase to the residence hall rates for the 2011-2012 academic year.

· Approved the 2011-12 Institutional and Course fees.

· Requests for proposals were solicited and approval was given to retain the services of U.P. Engineers and Architects of Houghton for architectural services related to the state-approved Kleimola Building floor addition. Services are to include all aspects of design, bidding, construction administration, and project closeout.

In closed session, an evaluation of President Jim Lorenson was given. After that, Board Chairman Bob Jacquart stated that, “Jim Lorenson is doing an excellent job in leading Gogebic Community College. His fiscal management during an unsettled budgetary time has been outstanding, while his great understanding of the climate in Lansing has given him the vision for the future that we truly need. With the college having been named in the top 10 percent of community colleges in the country, this is a strong statement to his ability to lead the outstanding faculty and staff that we have.”