A proposed technology fee increase for Sinclair Community College students was approved by the Ohio board of regents and the state controlling board on June 21 and is waiting to be voted on by the board of trustees, according to Natasha Baker, director of college relations.
In-county residents could expect a $3 per credit hour fee increase applied over two years. While out-of-county and international residents could expect the $3 fee plus a $1 surcharge, making it a $4 dollar increase overall, according to Baker.
“If it gets voted it will be an incremental increase,” Baker said. “However, the Sinclair Board would need to set the actual amount, which it will discuss at a future meeting.”
The college wants to use the proposed fee to update and maintain more than 100 rooms with new technology equipment and services, according to Baker.
“With the fees we’ve been getting we have been able to update 230 classrooms and labs on campus to make sure we have the best technology in terms of projectors, screens, Wi-Fi–all of those things have come out of the current technology fee that we have,” Baker said. “We still have probably another 120-130 rooms to do and part of the money will go towards those and then maintaining those upgrades.”
The rest of the proposed fee would go to upgrading online services such as online courses, advising and financial aid, Baker said.
“The fee also could help support student success programs such as the college’s Individualized Learning Plan, a program to support at-risk students funded by a Title III grant, to reach another 2,500 students, for example,” Baker said.
The lack of funds from the state, the fast paced advancement of technology and the decision to not raise fees 12 out of the past 19 years were motivators in getting approval for the fee, said Baker.
“It’s important for students to understand that we do everything we can to get them the best equipment and the best technology,” Baker said. “We understand that a lot of our students may not have computers at home (or) access to a computer at work so they need to use what is here on campus and we need to provide the best support to them that we can.”