Public Relations

Trustees OK tuition and fee adjustment

            BENTONVILLE (Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008) - The NorthWest Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees, citing increased services needed and operational costs at NWACC, adjusted tuition and fees at their monthly meeting Monday, Feb. 18, 2008.

            Trustees said NWACC has over its 18-year history established a solid reputation for quality academics, support services and access and could not compromise that investment by not adjusting tuition and fees.

            The tuition adjustment is the first since 2006 and goes into effect fall 2008.

            Trustees approved the following increases in tuition:

• From $58 to $63.25 per credit hour for in-district students
• From $90 to $98.25 per credit hour for out-of-district students
• From $127 to $138 per credit hour for out-of-state and international students

            The following fees were adjusted:

• Technology fee from $5 to $7
• Learning Support fee from $4.50 to $6.75
• Distance Learning (DL) course fees for DL and WebCT from $22 to $30, and $11 to $15 for DL-Hybrid and Web/Hybrid fees.
• Culinary Arts course fee from $50 to $75.
• A laboratory course fee of $15 was added for courses in Allied Health, Art, Business, Drama, EAST, Education, Music and Science.

            Increased costs cited included utilities due to energy price increases and increased faculty costs associated with growth in enrollments.

            Also cited were increased funding needs for laboratory costs, facility maintenance and operations.

            NWACC plans to continue implementing a compensation plan for faculty and staff

            NWACC plans to update its data warehouse software, smart classrooms, and technology.

            Student service activities cited included in orientation, career service, and multi-cultural programming. NWACC plans to implement a phone center to improve student access to support services that lead to increased retention of students.

            Other services cited include the increased costs of student publications, graduation, transcription, and student ID card equipment.

            NWACC is discussing with Ozark Regional Transit the possibility of implementing a bus route to serve NWACC facilities in Bentonville, Springdale and Fayetteville.

            Student Trustee Tim Payne, president of the Student Activity and Advisory Board, said students consider NWACC economical and appreciated that the board had not adjusted tuition in two years.

            He said students are concerned about transportation costs and will be anxious to learn more about the possibility of bus service.

            Tuition and fees will be the second largest component to NWACC’s projected $32.4 million budget in the next fiscal year that begins July 1.

            NWACC expects to receive $11.3 million from the State of Arkansas while tuition and fees are expected to add $10.8 million, based on a 7 percent increase in student head count.

            NWACC enrolled 6,573 students this past fall and 6,624 students this spring.

            The total number of credit hours students are taking this spring is up by 9,196, or 19.6 percent. Most courses range from 3-4 credit hours.

            NWACC is seeing increased student populations at each of its teaching centers.

Trustees voted unanimously to approve adjustments.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact Jim Hall.