At its Jan. 30 meeting in Glenwood Springs, the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees unanimously voted for a 0 percent increase in tuition rates for the 2019-20 academic year.
They voted to keep tuition rates flat after learning that the college should receive an additional $1 million in state funding; these are part of increased funds proposed by Colorado Gov. Polis and his administration. Trustees commented that the support of taxpayers through ballot measure 7D also gave them the confidence to hold tuition flat in the upcoming year.
Trustees also unanimously approved:
- An increase of 3.5 percent in board and 5 percent in room fees for 2019-20, to cover inflationary increases in costs and scheduled capital improvements
- A $28/credit hour Learning Materials Program fee (for leasing textbooks), as part of the continuation of a five-year contract with the textbook provider
- An annexation resolution that’s been adopted by the Buena Vista School District, which authorizes CMC to pursue an annexation feasibility study with the school district At the trustees’ September meeting they had also received and approved an annexation resolution from the Salida School District.
- Resolutions honoring philanthropist Jim Calaway and longtime adjunct faculty Mike Wadyko, who both recently passed away. (See both resolutions following this story.)
At the meeting the trustees met with a delegation from Salida, including Salida School Board members, school district administrators, school principals and several elected officials. The group was on a multiday visit to the college, including stops at campuses in Leadville, Vail Valley at Edwards, Glenwood Springs and Aspen.
Trustees also unanimously approved several different tuition discounts that will go into effect in 2019-20:
- a program of incentives to encourage CMC students earning an associate degree to complete their bachelor’s degree at the college
- extending limited Western Undergraduate Exchange tuition benefits to upper-division courses
- signing a memorandum of understanding to join the state’s Team USA program, which provides in-state tuition (and potentially in-district tuition) to Olympic athletes training in the state.
Trustees voted unanimously to approve new or increased course fees for courses in welding, defensive weapons and phlebotomy. In addition, the board unanimously accepted second quarter financials, locations for posting meetings notices, the contract for replacing a rooftop HVAC unit at Spring Valley and the second reading of a proposal for an observatory dome in Steamboat Springs.
COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JAMES C. CALAWAY
(June 22, 1931 – December 12, 2018)
WHEREAS, Colorado Mountain College and the Roaring Fork Valley community have long recognized and expressed appreciation for James C. Calaway’s philanthropic giving and endless devotion of energy and time in support of education, the arts, animal well-being and health care;
WHEREAS, Jim Calaway inspired many others with his passionate support of the college, leaving facilities that bear his name, founding the CMC Board of Overseeers, and encouraging support by other philanthropic leaders;
WHEREAS, Jim’s success in business included a creative, kind spirit that touched all who met him;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees, on behalf of the college, extends its appreciation, posthumously, to Jim Calaway, a kind, unselfish person and a friend to the college and the community.
COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. MICHAEL WADYKO
(September 28, 1949 – December 24, 2018)
WHEREAS, Dr. Michael Wadyko served Colorado Mountain College faithfully, with distinction, as an Adjunct Instructor and Faculty Senate Representative;
WHEREAS, Mike Wadyko had superior teaching skills, marked by outstanding student reviews, broad expertise across his field, and passionate advocacy for historically disadvantaged groups;
WHEREAS, Mike Wadyko truly cared about the college, unselfishly giving his time as a CMC leader and volunteer, and in particular advocated for and helped achieve a tiered adjunct system recognizing and rewarding adjunct service and credentials;
WHEREAS, Mike was a personal friend to many and a man of enduring faith, as well as a proud adopter of his beloved CARE cat, leaving a positive influence on the college and the community;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees, on behalf of the college, extends its gratitude to and honors the memory of Mike Wadyko, a dedicated friend and colleague.