Officials Want To Test Two-Tiered Tuition System

Written by Aaron Castrejon

State officials seek to implement a pilot program that would allow financially-capable students to pay as much as $200 for transfer-level courses in the community college system.

Such a pilot program, which would end in 2018, would charge higher tuition rates in winter and summer sessions for classes in transfer-level English, algebra and history. The program would target students ready to transfer, freeing up space during the spring and fall sessions, officials said.

The bill, AB 955, is awaiting the signature of Governor Jerry Brown.

Some education leaders don't exactly see eye to eye with Sacramento.

At the July 16 Citrus College Board of Trustees meeting, the board adopted a resolution in opposition of AB 955. The Board opposes the legislation's intent to create a two-tiered tuition system, said Dr. Geraldine Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College.

The bill targets six specific colleges throughout the state for implementation of the program, however, Citrus College will not be one of them, Perri said.

"Citrus College offers equal access opportunity to all. Based on the board’s position, Citrus College is not considering entering the program," Perri said.

Community College Chancellor Bryce Harris denounced the pilot program, saying it would unravel promises of no new fees after the passage of Proposition 30.

The California Community College System educates the state's lowest-income students. Full-time students have an annual median income of $16,223, while one-fourth have incomes of less than $5,544 per yea, according to the Foundation for California Community Colleges.

Participation in the program is voluntary, but it remains to be seen which of those six colleges will implement the program, scheduled to begin in July 2014.