Onondaga Community College Plans to Increase Annual Tuition

The operating budget has to meet the need to expand capacity for classrooms and student services.

Syracuse, N.Y

An expected enrollment increase by 20 percent is driving Onondaga Community College tuition. OCC is planning for a 6.3 percent jump in tuition for the 2009-10 operating budget of $66.2 million is being present today.

OCC Board of Trustees unanimously passed the College's 2009-10 operating budget and tuition will increase by $66 per semester for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, which brings OCC total annual tuition for full time county residence to $3,524.

"This has been one of our most difficult budget years," said OCC President Debbie Sydow. "We regret there is a need to increase student tuition, but it's just a reality."

Enrollment at OCC has grown since 2001 by 34 percent which forces the need to hire more teachers and staff and add more classes so students are not surprised by the cost of enrollment.

"Like everything else prices are going to go up every year," said Ryan Scanlan, student
at OCC. "I'm 30 years old now, since I've been 18 prices have gone up on everything every year whether it's gas prices or cigarette prices... I guess I kind of expect it."

NCC News Reporter Michael Dusumma has the story on students reaction to the increase in the cost of tuition.