This week, Flathead Valley Community College Campus Corps members are celebrating AmeriCorps Week. AmeriCorps Week spotlights the AmeriCorps organization and its impact on communities across the nation.

During a special meeting May 16, the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees canvassed the recent Trustee election and approved a 2 percent increase in tuition and fees for fiscal year 2012.

For the Flathead High School Districts, unopposed incumbent Robert A. Nystuen received 3,763 votes for the three-year term seat.  For the two-year term seat, Tim Baldwin received 778 votes; Michael Hebert received 548 votes; and incumbent Shannon Lund received 2,645 votes.

For the two three-year term seats in the Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Bigfork High School Districts, Edwin X. Berry received 711 votes; incumbent Thomas K. Harding received 2,063 votes; Roland Horst received 477 votes; incumbent John M. Phelps received 2,040 votes; and Glenn Wehe received 454 votes.

The Board approved to increase tuition $2 per credit and fees $ .60 per credit for fiscal year 2012 to help offset inflation.  Tuition and fee rates will be $130.60 per credit for in-district students, $179.60 per credit for out-of-district students and $385.60 per credit for out-of-state students. 

FVCC President Jane Karas explained that the college is projecting a slight decrease in enrollment.  This increase will help offset the difference.

According to Karas, the increase is not projected to impact the affordability of the college in comparison to the other public colleges and universities within the Montana University System.

“This minimal increase will not result in FVCC being a more expensive institution to attend,” she said.  “We will likely remain where we are in comparison to the other public institutions in the state and remain a great investment.”

Fiscal year 2012 tuition and fees for all Montana University System colleges and universities will be set later this week during the Board of Regents meeting May 19 and 20 on the FVCC campus in Kalispell.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place May 23 at 3:45 p.m.  For more information regarding specific items included in this report or regarding college activities, contact Tara Roth by calling 756-3912.  For more information on board meetings, contact Monica Settles by calling 756-3801.