PCC Says It Will Not Implement Two-Tier Tuition System

Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign Tuesday the two-tier tuition bill which would allow community colleges to raise tuition up to more than four times per unit, but Pasadena Area Community College District has announced it will not implement the system.

California Bill AB 955 or the two-tier tuition bill would allow community colleges to charge all students out-of-state tuition during summer and winter sessions regardless of residency. It would also allow community colleges to raise tuition from $46 per unit to approximately $200 per unit.

“The governing board of an eligible community college district may charge students enrolled in an extension course a fee that covers the actual cost of the course and that is based upon the district’s nonresident fee rate for the year the course is offered,” stated the bill, which was authored by Assemblymember Das Williams, D-Santa Barbara.

Pasadena City College’s website showed that the tuition for non-California residents is $193 per unit for each semester and $207 per unit for summer intercession.

Administration officials said the college no longer adheres to the requirements in implementing a two-tier system, the Pasadena City College Courier reported.

However. the College is still currently listed as one of the eligible colleges because it had met the requirements when the bill was written.

“I was disappointed to see PCC’s name on the list. We could still be on the pilot list if the governor signs the bill. The point is we won’t,” Student Trustee Simon Fraser told the PCC Courier.

Pasadena City College Superintendent-President, Dr. Mark Rocha, previously released a statement stating that the “two-tier tuition will not happen at PCC under any circumstances.” He also reiterated that the “consistent and long time position of the administration as well as the Board of Trustees has been in opposition to AB955.”