EDITORIAL: The students are squeezed at SCCC

Just at the moment when students and parents are making up their minds about colleges and seeking some clarity, the annual tuition dance has begun for Suffolk County Community College, and clarity is a long way off.

Right now, Suffolk's tuition is just above the state community college average of $3,409 a year. The proposed budget would increase it from $3,576 to $3,776. But there's no guarantee that the college can hold the increase to $200. Its budget assumes an increase of $1.5 million from the county, but that's unlikely, with the state and the county in a fiscal crisis.

If the state doesn't restore cuts and the county doesn't increase funding, students could end up paying as much as 47 percent of the cost of running the college. The state average is less than 41 percent. The traditional goal for community colleges has been: Students, state and county each pay a third of the cost.

The budget squeeze on Suffolk comes as its enrollment is soaring. It's now 24,560 - the largest community college in the state. And in this dismal economy, the college will keep attracting more and more students, both young ones wanting to save money and older ones wanting to learn new job skills.

Even with the increase, the college would still be a bargain. But some students could find the extra $200 an insurmountable obstacle, right when they need education the most. If the final size of the increase is unclear, this couldn't be clearer: The state and the county aren't doing their fair share. hN