Washtenaw Community College to Receive Highest Percentage State Funding Increase for Third Year

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Washtenaw Community College (WCC) will receive the highest percentage increase in state funding among all 28 community colleges in Michigan as a result of a budget approved by the state legislature today. WCC will receive a 1.71% increase in the 2015-2016 budget, meaning the college will see a $223,800 increase in operations support in the fiscal year beginning on Oct. 1, 2015. Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign the legislature's budget soon.

The college's increase is based on criteria designed by the State of Michigan, which measure community college performance in several areas and ties that to a portion of its state allocated dollars. First, it considers "weighted" completions, which is a tally of how many students have completed degrees or certificates or have successfully transferred to a four-year college or university. Weighted completions are an important metric because a community college's role is not only to produce job-ready workers but also to academically prepare students for further study and specialization at four-year institutions.

The state also considers enrollment, administrative costs in relation to operating costs and what it calls "local strategic value," which is a measure of the college's impact on the local community.

Overall, WCC performs on par or better than other colleges in each category, excelling in rates of weighted completions and local strategic value.

"It is because of the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, and students that we continue to meet these very important measures of performance," said WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca. "This funding will allow the college to continue to provide our students quality education that is affordable and accessible. Additionally, it will help assure WCC remains a resource that provides important value for residents of Washtenaw County and our region."  

According to a 2013 report by Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., WCC's economic impact on Washtenaw County was nearly $380 million. That represented 2.1 percent of the total regional economy and 7,100 jobs.

"We are very appreciative of the support that Governor Snyder and the State Legislature have given community colleges," Dr. Bellanca said. "The work we are doing really does change lives."

SOURCE Washtenaw Community College