Basic Aid
Rena Ramirez
Issue date: 10/16/01 Section: News
Marin's unique demography may save the student budget in the upcoming months.
Although College of Marin is an "open access" institution, meaning anyone who will benefit from the offered programs can enroll, the last 12 years have shown a decrease in student enrollment. That means a change in the funding model.
"With the new funding, it is important for students to take advantage of the new services because they will be enhanced," said ASCOM Vice President Robert Noble.
Community colleges in California, including COM, are typically funded by what is known as a "Growth Formula," overseen by the Chancellor's office. As a result, the school receives a certain amount of money based on the number of students enrolled and the number of units that they are taking.
Since the number of enrolling students has steadily decreased, there has been less money given to the school. This is where the transfer to the new formula called "Basic Aid" seems appropriate.
This new formula is based on the tax revenue of the county. When the tax revenue of a county exceeds the amount of money a school would normally receive (in this case COM), "Basic Aid" gives a higher amount of money to the school.
"Because the cost of housing in Marin is soaring, we will get slightly more money this year. We’ll get a set amount of money that is not based on enrollment, but rather on real estate," said Chris Schultz, dean of Student Development and Special Services.
So what does this increase in funding mean for the student body? According to Schultz, the college plans to see better funding and changes in many areas. Such changes will include more flexibility with regard to classes and services, as well as greater ability to expand creative educational offerings that would not normally have the funding. This will increase the options for out-of-state and foreign students, better supplies, and updated technology.
"It's going to change how we look at things, before every student gave us the money but now we will have to focus on the right classes. It should be a success," said Jim Geraughty, director of the Board of Student Trustees.
Last year the school received $33,687,256 for student funding. This year the number is hoped to be higher but no one is sure as to how much higher the number may be.
The reason for this uncertainty is because of the uncertainty of the county's real estate. If the housing tax revenue goes down, the school could be forced out of "Basic Aid" and will have to return to the original "Growth Formula." This will not be known for sure until the tax bills are out in November.
COM will be the third Community College in California to transfer funding to the "Basic Program," following such schools in Southern California as Maricosta and Orange Coast. So far, the funding for these schools has been successful.
According to Schultz, the change will be gradual but steady.
"With the prospect of Basic Aid, the school has a different set of rules to follow. This is more about the future than about tomorrow."