Proposed C-GCC budget decreases, as tuition increases

GREENPORT, N.Y. » Declining enrollment at Columbia-Greene Community College has contributed to proposed tuition increase under a $16.26 million proposed 2016-17 budget representing a 2.66 percent decrease of $444,163.

The spending plan is scheduled for a Greene County Legislature public hearing at 6:25 p.m. Aug. 16 in the county building at 411 Main St. in Catskill. It was adopted by Columbia County Board of Supervisors last month.

“We’re trending on a decrease,” college President James Campion said. “The trend is dropping probably about six to seven percent ... per year. It’s dramatic.”

Campion said the enrollment is expect to be about 1,300 combined part-time and full-time students during the coming year.

Tuition is proposed to increase by 3.28 percent under the budget. Full-time students would pay $2,268 per semester for a $72 increase and part-time students would pay $189 per credit for a $6 increase.

Under the budget there will be $5.66 million in contributions from the county governments for a 3.8 percent increase of $207,089. Columbia County will pay $3.02 million and Greene County will pay $2.64 million.

Changes in the proposed budget include:

• Salaries at $8.59 million for a 2.25 percent decrease of $197,355.

• Employee benefits at $4.93 million for a 3.41 percent decrease of $174,027.

• Academic support at $1.54 million for a 0.5 percent increase of $$7,621.

• Student services at $1.6 million for a 3.94 percent decrease of $65,574.

• Maintenance and security at $2.29 million for a 7.03 percent decrease of $172,998.

• Administration at $2.7 million for a 2.77 percent increase of $72,665.

• Institutional services at $1.77 million for a 1.36 percent decrease o $24,520.