GCC Tuition to Moderately Increase

The family of former GCC President, the late Dr. James Perry, presented current GCC President Jim Lorenson and Board Chairman Bob Jacquart with a resolution that Dr. Perry had received from Former State Senator Joseph Mack and Former Representatives Jacobetti and Hellman. Presenting the resolution at the May Board of Trustees meeting were members of Dr. Perry’s family from left to right: son Dan, daughter Penny, GCC President Jim Lorenson, Mrs. Phyllis Perry, son Jon Perry, GCC Board Chairman Bob Jacquart, daughter Patty, and daughter-in-law Chris.

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, MI - Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - Students at Gogebic Community College will see an increase in tuition and fees next year. In-district tuition will increase by $4 per credit hour from $86 to $90 per credit hour; $7 out-of-district and Wisconsin Reciprocity tuition from $109 to $116 per credit hour; out-of-state tuition will increase by $9 from $135 to $144 per credit hour; and international tuition will increase by $13 from $210 to $223 per credit hour.

“Gogebic Community College remains true to its mission and continues to remain an affordable option for higher education,” said Erik Guenard, Dean of Business. “With 44 percent of the college’s revenue being derived from state appropriations, the anticipated funding from state sources will create a difficult operating revenue environment for the next several years. However, GCC is working diligently to keep expenses for students as low as we possibly can.”

The gross impact of the proposed increase for the average full-time student expense would be $60 per semester for in-district Gogebic County students and $105 per semester for other Michigan and Wisconsin reciprocity area students, which includes Iron County, Wisconsin.

The family of former GCC President Dr. James Perry presented the college with a framed resolution that Perry had received in 1976, while he was President of GCC. The Resolution was a tribute to Perry for his many years of outstanding and dedicated service to GCC. Dr. Perry served as GCC’s president for 10 years. The resolution was offered by Former State Senator Joseph Mack and was co-sponsored by former Representatives Jacobetti and Hellman. Dr. Perry passed away in October of 2003.

Dr. Perry’s son John made the presentation for the Perry family. Also attending were Dr. Perry’s wife Phyllis, daughters Patty and Penny, son Dan, and daughter-in-law Chris.

In other action, the Board:

Changed the regular monthly June meeting of the GCC Board of Trustees to a Retreat/Working Session to be held on June 29 at 4:00 p.m.
Approved the interim capital outlay list to prepare for the beginning of the 2010-11 academic year. This list includes items such as computers and related instructional technology and lab equipment to be used at both the Ironwood and Copper Country sites.
Approved a consulting agreement with Ironwood native Danette Bull, currently of Belleville, MI, for the development of a wind turbine technician program for the college. The funds for this agreement will come from a curriculum development grant through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
The non-affiliated staff contracts for the 2010-2011 year were also approved.
The Board accepted the deferred retirement of Automotive Technology Instructor David Luedtke, effective at the end of the current contract period. Luedtke taught the coursework for the Automotive Technology at GCC for the past ten years. The Board also authorized the administration to begin the process of filling this position for the upcoming academic year.