The Northern Oklahoma College Board of Regents approved a $23.7 million fiscal year 2020-21 operating budget during its regularly scheduled June meeting held at the Renfro Center at NOC Tonkawa.
NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans commented on this year’s budget.
“For multiple reasons, this is one of the toughest budget environments since I’ve been at Northern,” Dr. Evans said. “The state allocation my first year at NOC for FY2012 was almost $10.5 million. This fiscal year, NOC’s budget includes state appropriations of only $7.8 million, a 3.95% or $321,343 decrease from just last year FY2020. State appropriations now only account for 33% of NOC’s overall operating budget; this number is still significantly down from the 70% provided by the State of Oklahoma in 2002.” We do understand that the unusual circumstances this year with COVID-19 and the energy industry situation limited the help that the legislators could provide. We are appreciative of the support that we did receive as it could have been even worse.
According to Evans, NOC’s $23.7 million budget for 2020-2021 represents a $946,529 decrease from last year’s 2019-2020 budget. The budget decrease is a result of reduced state allocations and because of an estimated enrollment decline institution-wide in the coming school year. Additionally, mandatory costs, such as healthcare, property, tort, EEL, and vehicle insurance premiums continue to rise, creating a negative impact on the budget.
According to the budget passed on Monday and approved by the state regents on Thursday, tuition and fees paid by students and their families will comprise 64% of the College’s operating budget in the coming year.
Evans said in order for NOC to preserve the quality of instruction and to meet the budget needs for the coming year, the NOC Regents approved a 4.8% increase in tuition and mandatory fees. This change will take effect for the Fall 2020 semester and will amount to an increase in resident tuition and fees of $97.50 per semester or $195.00 for the academic year for students on the Tonkawa and Enid campuses who complete 30 credit hours. Even with this increase, we anticipate that NOC’s in-state tuition will be among the lowest in the state. Please visit http://www.noc.edu/tuition for the updated cost comparison chart reflecting the pricing structure for each location at which NOC provides.
“I appreciate Anita (Simpson, Vice President for Financial Affairs) and her staff for all their hard work in preparation of this year’s budget,” Evans said.
Regent chair Dale DeWitt said he appreciates the work that goes into the fiscal year budget.
“These budget decisions are made very carefully,” he said. “I appreciate all the hard work that goes into these budget preparations.”
Also, the regents honored retiring regent Chad Dillingham with a proclamation and plaque. He retired after four years on the board.
“We appreciate your service,” chairman DeWitt said.
“I truly enjoyed my time as a regent,” Dillingham said. “It’s been a wonderful experience to serve with such a great group of people.”
In other business, the regents approved the revised the academic calendar, approved the course catalog, student handbook, athletic handbook, campus master plan, monthly financial reports, and approved the trustees for the Northern Oklahoma College Foundation, Inc.
The regents elected officers for the 2020-21 fiscal year. They include the following: Chair – Jodi Cline, Vice-Chair – Michael Martin, Secretary – Stan Brownlee. The other members are Dale DeWitt and Jami Groendyke who replaces Dillingham. Groendyke takes office in July.
Official minutes of the NOC Board of Regents meetings are available online at www.noc.edu.