By Dr. Terrence Leas, Riverland Community College president

As this academic year progresses, we are planning, along with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, for the upcoming legislative session slated to begin in early 2005.

In preparation for the upcoming legislative year, a government relations team at Riverland Community College has developed some legislative key messages that we believe accurately describe recent college achievements and articulate the economic challenges we face. The key messages also illustrate the magnitude of the economic impact we have had on the region we serve.

1. Riverland Community College strives to provide quality educational opportunities and services in the face of significant enrollment growth and decreased funding.

Since 1999, Riverland enrollments (individuals) have increased by 22%. Credits sold in that time have increased 26%.

Unfortunately, state and federal government support for public higher education is declining. In 1999, Minnesota provided more public support for higher education than the national average. By 2003, this support was below the national average.

Tuition has been substituted for public support. Riverland must raise tuition to make up the loss in state and federal funding. Over the past five years, tuition has increased from $70.80 per credit (2000-2001) to $113.00 (2004-2005), a 47.4% increase over five years.

2.

Riverland Community College works to provide access to higher education and a better life for all, regardless of personal circumstances, geography, or finances.

An inherent role of the community college is to provide access to higher education. This access may be in the form of increased offerings at specific times, increased opportunities to traditionally under-served populations, and versatile forms of delivery to reach a broader audience.

To do our job, Riverland must remain flexible and adaptable to meet the various needs of our numerous stakeholders.

3. The economic impact of Riverland Community College on the region we serve is more than $54 million.

As I have stated in the past, Riverland’s impact on the economy and vitality the region is profound.

Our college adds an estimated $54,403,097 in activity and 808 jobs to the region’s economy. This includes more than $11 million in direct college spending, more than $18.5 million in student spending, and a labor market impact of more than 3,000 jobs.

Riverland also contributes to the labor market by providing a pool of trained graduates whose higher skill level enhances the productivity and profitability of local companies. A higher education facility located in a community adds to the skill level of the workforce.

As newly elected or re-elected officials approach this upcoming legislative session, we hope they keep these key messages in mind when considering the priority of funding for higher education.

We hope that members of the community understand that serving a greater number of students with less funding places an undue burden on students.

We also hope they can appreciate our efforts to serve a variety of stakeholders and acknowledge the magnitude of the positive cultural and economic effect the college has on the region.

(Dr. Terrence (Terry) Leas is president at Riverland Community College.)