A last-minute reprieve has spared Southwestern College students a $10 per unit fee hike for spring 2012, but the relief will be short-lived. In summer a new $46 per unit fee goes into effect.
California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott and the California Legislature decided to delay the fee increase to summer even though falling state revenues will force another $30 million cut from community colleges. As many as 200,000 students may lose access to classes.
“I was pissed when I learned it went up to 36 (dollars per unit),” said Esteban De Leon, 22, a telemedia major. “I wouldn’t be as mad if they managed to use the… increase in price for things that benefited the students, especially for me as a film student, where funding and classes get cut severely.”
Community colleges nationwide have increased tuition rates 8.7 percent according to CNN Money, bringing community college tuition to an average of $3,000 a year.
SWC students wishing to further their education beyond an Associate’s degree have more financial worry. College costs are rising across the country. About 50 miles away CSU San Marcos is the hardest hit in the nation, raising their fees 31 percent. SDSU has not raised fees, but has severely cut enrollment.
SWC students will also be subject to a new course-repeat and withdrawal policy starting this summer. The California Community College Board of Governors passed a revision to Title 5 restricting students to repeat a course if they have received a D, F, NP or W three times. Students who wish to retake the course a fourth time, they will have to take the course elsewhere.
Much of this new policy is meant to foster student responsibility.
“I think the policy is good for a person that has gotten three D or F grades,” says De Leon. “Because if you are a student and you haven’t managed a good grade that’s your fault. Students like to blame teachers, but when it comes down to it, it’s almost never the teacher’s fault.”
SWC officials are encouraging students to be realistic about their ability to complete courses successfully and to read class syllabi to ensure attendance and participation requirements can be met. Educators are growing less patient with students who take valuable seats in classes only to dump or fail them.
Some students, however, expressed concern about the policy.
“There is one class I need to take that I’m having difficultly on,” said Veronica Golenia, 22, a public health major. “If I fail it a third time I won’t be able to transfer.”
The policy has captured many students’ attention.
“As a new student I have to take classes seriously,” said Ernie Hicks, 18, a mechanical engineering major. “I want to get out of here in two years and the new repeat policy could be a good motivator.”