Local Seniors Decry Rise in AACC Fees

Late Friday afternoon, announced that the Board of Trustees had voted to double fees for senior courses  at area senior centers, retirement communities and on campus. 

The move is the first of the Board's revenue increase planning to help offset the County Council’s 15 percent decrease in county funding for the college for fiscal year 2012. Their "Senior Administrative Cycle Fee" will increase from $40 to $80 per cycle and will begin for all registrations for the fall. 

This week, many long-time participants in Anne Arundel Community College continuing education courses offered at the Arnold campus and , voiced concerns about the effects of the fee increase.

At the Arnold Senior Center's Monday fitness class, the room was charged with consternation resulting from the issue. Several voiced the desire to sign a petition in protest to be heard by the larger public and by the Board and by those in authority at AACC.

“We’re told to try to stay in shape, and how are we going to do it if we can’t afford to come here?" said one participant. "When we get sick, we’re going to cost society real money.”  

Speculation among class participants centered on the inability of AACC decision makers to understand retirees’ living on a fixed income without cost-of-living increases in these days of rising prices.

Discussion included what these doubled AACC cycle fees mean to couples taking year-round courses who will be forced to pay annual cycle fees of $640 instead of the more affordable current $320 per couple.   

Some seniors also participate in AACC’s Peer Learning Program (PLP).  Although no cycle fees are involved in PLP courses, which are facilitated by peers, everyone pays a fee of $26 per course plus a semi-annual $26 PLP membership fee.

However, many PLP members also participate in AACC’s continuing education program where cycle fees do apply.  

In this week's PLP class at the center, several members voiced their concerns. 

Linda Leitgeb of Severna Park, said, “A 100 percent increase is outrageous.  Many seniors will not be able to afford this and it will take away everything that seniors are supposed to pursue to stay active and involved in their community. And Social Security has not been increased in three years.”

“We all live on fixed incomes and Social Security. Why are they preventing us an education by increasing our rates?" asked Severna Park resident Donna Brown.

"There are some people who would find $40 a lot of money in itself without being doubled to $80 per cycle.”

Lois Sparks, also of Severna Park, said, “My first thought on hearing the news is they want to get rid of seniors after they doubled their student enrollment to get more space, so it’s out with the old to make room for the young. It makes sense from their point of view.”

For AACC, hard decisions have to be made, and there will likely be more.

“The Board has adopted a year-long, two-pronged approach of continuing to reduce expenditures, including implementing faculty and staff furloughs for FY2012, and considering all possible sources of additional revenues,” said Victoria K. Fretwell, chairperson.

“We are always reluctant to increase fees to students of any age, but the message the County Council clearly communicated was that everyone needed to share the pain during these difficult economic times. Unfortunately, everyone means everyone.”

County Councilman Dick Ladd (R-District 5) said that while he was sorry the county's fiscal situation had to affect seniors in this way, he didn't know what else could be done.

"It's my understanding that some of these fees haven't been raised in years," Ladd said. "I have always been very pleased with the management of the college. I have confidence in their decisions."