[Wsssc] Data for tuition rate increase

[Lauren Hibbs]

WSSSC,

An important update highlighted below on the current and future setting of tuition. We anticipate tuition to be set at the May 10 board meeting this year, and much sooner in future years thanks to SB 5709.


From: Cherie Berthon <cberthon at sbctc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 8:53 AM
To: bac at lists.ctc.edu
Cc: Lauren Hibbs <lhibbs at sbctc.edu>; Brian Myhre <BMYHRE at sbctc.edu>
Subject: Data for tuition rate increase

Good Morning Business Officers,

As many of you know, Washington's tuition setting policy is based on a 14-year average of the state median hourly wage as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). We were expecting the 2022 data to be released in late March and hoped to have an estimate of next year's tuition rate increase by early April. Unfortunately, yesterday BLS announced<https://www.bls.gov/oes/> that it won't release the occupational employment and wage data until April 25th. That means, we won't have a tuition rate increase estimate until shortly after that date.

I know this is frustrating for colleges. Fortunately, the Legislature has already passed SB 5079<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5079&Year=2023&Initiative=false>, which means this is the last year we will have this difficult timing. The rate set for 2023-24 will also apply to 2024-25. With this policy change, in future years we'll know the tuition rate increase a year in advance. For budget planning, you're probably safe to assume tuition will increase 2.5%. That's the average increase over the last few years.

I'll be in touch with additional budget data before COB tomorrow. Thanks!

Cherie

[Compass]Cherie Berthon (she/her)
Operating Budget Director
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
cberthon at sbctc.edu<mailto:cberthon at sbctc.edu> * o: 360-704-1023 * f: 360-704-4415 * c: 360-339-2888
SBCTC Vision:  Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities. Adopted June 27, 2019.




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