Tuition, Fees for 2021-2022 approved

Tuition and fees, room and meal rates, and the annual audit were action items before the Butler Community College Board of Trustees during their regular monthly board meeting held March 9.

BOARD ACTION ITEMS

 Trustees approved tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year following a significant fee structure change implemented by the college.  

The college’s historical technology fee ($10.43 per credit hour) and online course fee ($53 per online course) were both eliminated and replaced with a technology access fee that is a tiered cost based on the number of credit hours taken each semester. The new structure may create a cost savings for some online students due to the new flat rate.  

New rates for 2021-2022 are as follows:  

    In-District Students (Butler County) - $102 per credit hour

    In State/all other Kansas Counties - $122.50 per credit hour

    Out of State – $182.50 per credit hour

    International - $219.50 per credit hour

Tiered Technology Access Fee Per Semester

    1-3 credit hours $50

    4-6 credit hours $100

    7-11 credit hours $175

    12 and more $250  

The discount provided to Butler County students will be increased to $20.50 per credit hour, a differential expected to be one of the largest discounts provided by a Kansas community college.

Trustees approved the room and meal rate plans for 2021-2022 based on what was presented at the February board meeting. Meal rates increased 3.9%, room rates increased 2% (for residence halls and the fire science residency program), with overall rate increases being capped at 2.6% for student residents.  

Trustees also approved an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and one-year certificate for Diesel Technology. The curriculum will now be sent to the Kansas Board of Regents for approval. Also approved was the new Student Account Center provider Transact; and the Mutual Gains notice up letter.  

BOARD STRATEGIC DISCUSSION

The board discussed options for establishing additional board training for professional development. The board is looking at a 2-day training session with a facilitator in April. They plan to have the facilitator survey each board member and the president to determine areas for focus.  

STANDING REPORTS

Standing reports were presented on behalf of Student Government Association, Operational Staff, Professional Employees, the Board Finance Committee, the Association of Community College Trustees, the Foundation Board and the Education Facilities Authority.

Under the President’s Report, Dr. Kimberly Krull informed the board of upcoming legislative coffees in Augusta, Andover and El Dorado. Trustees are also organizing tours of all college locations.  

The Education Facilities Authority report discussed recent water damage to the stadium due to frozen pipes Damage was mostly on the second floor and the promenade. Work is being done to prepare the location for the spring sports schedule that will begin in April.  

Trustees heard a monitoring report from the Health, Education and Public Services Division which includes Nursing, Allied Health, Education, Early Childhood, Human Performance, Fire & EMS, and Criminal Justice. The report was given by Christy Streeter, division dean, and Dr. Caleb Ediger, associate dean.  

CONSENT AGENDA

Under the Consent Agenda, Trustees approved Bills and Warrants for February 2021 with expenditures at $1,279,962.94 and payroll at $2,409,381.62. Trustees also approved Medicalodges of Goddard as a long-term care clinical learning site for Butler’s Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide students.  

Butler’s Education Training Analysis (BETA) group was approved to deliver self-paced online curriculum through MindEdge Learning which offers numerous credit and noncredit courses through a variety of credentialing associations.  

The March board meeting can be viewed on BCTV Channel 20 via YouTube. Trustees held a budget work session following adjournment of their regular monthly meeting.