Lake Superior State University Partners with Dearborn’s Henry Ford Community College
Henry Ford Community College and Lake Superior State University will formally announce at a noon press conference today a new partnership that would allow community college students to complete their bachelors degree in Dearborn.
Lake Superior State University (LSSU) will establish a regional site in Dearborn, partnering with Henry Ford Community College at the Dearborn University Consortium Center (DUCC) located on the campus of the Advanced Technology Academy (ATA). The university will offer degree completion options in Business and Criminal Justice beginning in the fall of 2010. Future degree completion offerings include Applied Geographic Information Systems, Computer Networking and Web Development in 2011.
“This is an extremely efficient and cost effective path for students to complete their education right here in the Dearborn community,” said Dr. Gale Mee, HFCC president.
The LSSU Board of Trustees approved the agreement to establish the Dearborn site.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on this agreement and in establishing this site, which will be very favorable for Lake Superior State,” said Board President, W.W. “Frenchie” LaJoie.
Added LSSU President, Dr. Tony McLain: “The establishment of the DUCC gives us a presence in Metro Detroit. It also allows us to bring our high value educational programs to students who never before had access to LSSU.”
Dearborn Mayor, John B. O’Reilly Jr., praised the partnership and said it will broaden options for students.
“Dearborn has always been a strong supporter of higher education and with the combination of the University of Michigan Dearborn campus and Henry Ford Community College we have over 27,000 students enrolled,” O’Reilly said. “This certainly qualifies us as a college town, but more importantly, demonstrates a commitment to meeting a significant demand for preparing professional and leaders for the Metropolitan Detroit area.
“This Next Generation Learning Center will mobilize educators, employers and community leaders to act on new ways to ensure education and training that will match the demanding requirements of 21st Century workforce.”
The Center is enrolling students for fall 2010 classes. Contact Eric Dubitsky, Regional Site Director, at 313-625-4712 or edubitsky@atafordpas.org to learn more about the Dearborn University Consortium Center.
July 28th, 2010 at 8:20 am
This is another wonderful educational asset to Dearborn offered by Henry Ford Community College. With the outrageously high cost per hour at regular, four year universities, along with the cost of living expenses, this is a bargain at $65 per credit hour for Dearborn residents.
July 28th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Does this mean my tax dollars are going to be supporting even more non Dearborn students? Is this why HFCC had us pay more taxes recently? If students want to finish their education, U of M Dearborn is just a campus away. If this is OUR college shouldn’t we have been asked at least before this additional tax burden is put on us?
July 29th, 2010 at 5:57 am
The tuition at U of M Dearborn is extremely high. My son is starting there in the fall. We paid approx 1,800 a semester at HFCC. Now have to pay over 6,000 a semester at UMD, not counting books. I wish I had heard about this sooner.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
did you go to college “getting screwed”??
please explain your comments with numbers, statistics and facts please…..
July 30th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I went to college and I dont know the statistics, but I do know that my CITY tax money that only Dearborn residents pay is going to subsidize the college education of those not in Dearborn, that bothers me. I know my State tax money is subsidizing college costs for out of state and most bothersome out of Country students. That to me is getting screwed!!!
July 31st, 2010 at 9:01 am
instead of generic blanket statements…show the numbers!!!..show the stats!!
if hfcc were to up and leave for detroit, would that be a better option??
rightnow it sounds like you were told that and too lazy to actually do a little fact finding, but would rather make the arm chair comments..so moving forward, do you want only dearborn residents to attend hfcc?..watch that place close faster than a newman property if that happens……..your city tax dollars support the fire dept and paramedics…so next time a non dearborn resident gets into an accident or has a medical issue in this city, remind them how upset you are.
July 31st, 2010 at 11:07 am
So out of district people who pay more for classes are being subsidized? And people from out of state, and country, who pay double the tuition of Michigan residents at our public universities are also being subsidized?
July 31st, 2010 at 4:40 pm
To 48124: When the paramedics respond and transport a non Dearborn resident, believe me they pay for the service. Many communities do bill for fire service and response for non residents. Maybe we should look into that.
Yes Paul, they are.
July 31st, 2010 at 9:14 pm
@ Joe –
Since you don’t care to get the facts before you make unfounded statements, I’ll do it for you. Tuition and fees account for 54% of the budget for HFCC. That is more than any other community college in Michigan. Local property taxes account for 17% which is amoung the lowest in the state. Wayne County CC for example is the opposite Tuition and fees is 27% and property taxes is 57%. http://www.freep.com/article/20100713/NEWS06/7130302/1318/
Michigan law requires us to be part of a community college district, so if we dismantle HFCC we would revert to Wayne County CC which has a higher millage rate for community college than HFCC.
Also…tuition for residents is $70 per credit hour, non-residents is $130 and international students is $135. I would hardly call that subsidized. More than half of the students at HFCC are out of district. Without them, HFCC would have a difficult time offering the variety of classes and programs.
So stop hating and be happy that we have such a gem of an institution in our community. An educated society benefits all of us!
August 1st, 2010 at 9:00 am
are you asking or telling paul??
August 1st, 2010 at 10:35 am
To HFCC facts: I know that out of district and out of country students pay more. That is not the fact that I am arguing. However, the important number is how much does it cost to educate a student per credit hour. That will tell me if $135 is a subsidized number.
August 1st, 2010 at 6:25 pm
The fact that only 17% of the budget is from local taxes and 54% is from tuition and fees tells me that the out of district students and helping to keep the school alive. Get over it already!
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:36 am
I have two degrees from HFCC and both have helped me in the job world. I did not even worry about tuition because it was very inexpensive as compared to other colleges and universitites. Henry Ford Community College is nationally recognized as a NCA accrediated college, yes college credits at an inexpensive rate. What does that mean, that all 200 plus programs college credits are accepted at other colleges and universities as transfere credits. HFCC does have several articulation agreements so 100% of college credits at HFCC that are earned transfer to the participating partners. Most notable are Eastern Michigan University, Siena Heights University, Cleary College. Ferris State University also has agreements with HFCC. The plus is that now there is another option, Lake Superior State College on the HFCC campus.. This means along with the other participating colleges and universities major savings related to tuition and or boarding.. Eastern Michigan and Siena Heights University, (Adrian and Southfield) have 3 for 1 agreements with HFCC. What does that mean… That means they have agreed to allow 100% of transfer credits 94 for Eastern and 90 for Siena Heights to be transferred in and at the same time give HFCC students credit for completing thier junior year at HFCC.. Yes, that means only the senior year must be completed at Eastern or Siena Heights University or the other college participating with HFCC.. Talk about savings, $$$$. Dr. Mee and the administration and HFCC staff have been very vigilant at working out these money saving details.
Now here is the deal, the big picture…Those that complain about HFCC’s costs need to shop around and compare costs at universities.. $400.00-$800.00 per credit hour that is the average…and do those costs add up fast. Most students at HFCC can complete a pretty good job training program/degree for around or less than $14,000.00 total, then move on to a minor with an additonal 30 credit hours at the same low rate. The only higher costs with the articulated colleges that HFCC has signed on with are the senior year higher tuition rates. So those that complain really do not know how lucky they have it at HFCC, with very good college instructors and professors, most that have had industry and or working experiences before they start teaching.
As I stated earlier I have two degrees from HFCC which eventually led to a Masters Degree… The tuition should not be the issue, it is the good instructors/professors/administrators and the city of Dearborn Citizens that make all of this possible along with a centrally located campus..
The final point is that not everyone is going to be happy with everything even though they have a diamond, for a bargin price in front of them, they still would complain. Eduaction will better the lives of those that go down that route only if those who want the education are serious about learning. Without HFCC good programs I would not be where I am at today in life, holding a job.. Everytime I obtained another degree, with good grades, I found the job search much, much easier. What a bargin at $130.00 per credit hour.
Don’t be fooled by the many scam artist training schools out there that take advantage of those in need taking between $14,000.00 to $20,000 or more of a students money, often creating more debt, financial aid and then they find no jobs at the end of the program and no transferrable college credits at all.. Be careful a two year Associates Degree at HFCC for an average price of $14,000.00 or less and earned college credits that transfer, what a deal. Mmmmm…
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Greg,
You keep telling us how many degrees you have collected but with all the smarts you claim to have, you MISSED the whole point. No one is saying HFCC is not a good deal. We ARE complaining about the TAXES residents must pay to give you this wonderful discount. We signed on to support a TWO year education. Now HFCC surprised us that we will be supporting 4 years of education with out asking us. We are supporting this wonderful discount when less than 17% of the students are Dearborn residents. Now, how many NON-residents will we have to support while they get their 4 year degree on OUR tax dollar? Thank you Joe & Getting Screwed for pointing out what many of us are thinking. You guys must have less degrees than Greg but more common sense!
August 3rd, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I read and reread the article. I did not see anything asking for more money. The way I see it, the costs and division of costs will be the same.
Please let me know if I am wrong. If we are paying 17%, I think it will continue at 17%. Non-residents will still pay the higher costs while coming into the city and hopefully, spending some money here.
I think it is a great opportunity for those with a two year degree to complete their education at great savings.
August 3rd, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Dont worry “waiting for a better dearborn” I have more degrees and more sense than Greg. I just dont have to tout my degrees to try to bolster my arguments.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Cloe,
The HFCC increase was done last election, not this year. What i am thinking is they knew all along this was in the works and kept us in the dark. HFCC got the money upfront and are now putting it to use on their ‘hidden’ agenda.
We are NOT subsidizing at 17% (actually much higher) but i stated less than 17% of HFCC students are Dearborn residents. Which means 83% of the HFCC students are NOT paying taxes to support the college. Yes, they pay a higher tuition but not enough to cover the actual cost of service. The difference is paid with OUR tax dollars.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Do the students at HFCC still get a free ride because one of their parents work for the school board???
August 4th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
If anyone has any questions on how this program will work please feel free to contact me. Students will still be able to earn their AA degree but not get a discount at LSSU. It will be no different than a student completing their studies at HFCC then transfering to LSSU in Sault Ste. Marie.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Eric-
What is the cost to educate a student at HFCC? This question can be answered by credit hour, by class (which I can then make by credit hour) or by full time status. I guess the question would be what is the cost to run the college-complete-all costs, and how many student credit hours are taken per year? I think that would settle the belief that tax money is being used to support non-Dearborn students.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I’m not taking sides, but think it might be wise of us to consider all sides of this by us playing “devil’s advocate” here. We also need to remember that Dearborn is surrounded by many communities that come into our city that have less per capita income, less education, a lower standard of living and/or they come from in some cases far more poverty stricken communities. If you read the weekly crime blurbs in the local papers, much of Dearborn’s crime comes from non-residents.
Therefore, I’m of the opinion that if outsiders are coming into our city to become educated and it is proven that the higher educated one becomes on average, the less likely they will become criminals, wouldn’t we rather see them become more educated instead of living in poverty with so many coming into Dearborn that may be causing crime???
Now I’m not sure about the expenses that HFCC/Dearborn taxpayers may pay to subsidize non-residents, but if it is true we do subsidize them, I’d much rather do it on the front end than on the back end with more crime and more crime victims, many of the victims being Dearborn citizens.
August 5th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Joe –
No Dearborn school millage tax funds are used to fund the DUCC.
As LSSU President Tony McLain said “The demand for college graduates is getting higher and higher.” We are simply try to meet that need.
August 5th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
*We are simply trying to meet that need.
Sorry for the typo.
August 5th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Mr. Albano – I totally agree with you. People need to look at the big picture.
August 5th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Mr. Dutitsky, if you are still reading, can you help us out with the basic question? Some people here are complaining that their tax dollars are subsidizing non-residents. They are forgetting, it seems to me, that they must, by state law, support a community college. If HFCC were gone tomorrow and we then had to support Wayne County Community College, would our taxes go UP or DOWN?
If they would go up, then any amount of subsidizing (if that is the case) that takes place at HFCC is less – repeat, LESS – than if we had to support WCCC, correct?
August 5th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Donna Hay,
EVERY Dearborn Public School employee (and their family members) can attend HFCC for FREE. EVERYONE from lunch room helpers, janitors, child care, to Teachers, Principals and Administrators.
August 6th, 2010 at 5:56 am
Waiting – thank you. Whose budget pays for this benefit?
August 6th, 2010 at 8:40 am
John Higgins-
I am not forgetting that I must support a community college. My question is would my tax money be better spent on Dearborn students than subsidizing out of district students? Is the $130 an accurate estimate of what it costs per credit hour to educate a student at the college? If it is, I have no problem (ok not much of a problem) paying the taxes at the rate I am to the college. If the cost is more accurately at $150 (or some other number) I do have a problem with my tax money paying to educate out of district and in some cases out of the country students.
Mr. Dutitsky can you answer the question as to what it costs to have a student attend a class at HFCC-including personell, services, professors, support staff, etc? I appreciate your response to my comment, but please try to answer the question!
August 6th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Donna Hay,
It is a perk in the employee contract. You pay for it in your school taxes.
August 7th, 2010 at 5:58 am
Wanting – thanks that’s what I thought and I wonder what others think about this “Perk”.
August 7th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Despite my appreciation of HFCC, despite my support of it allowing non-Dearborn residents to attend and how it benefits Dearborn, I believe very citizen has the absolute right to know what the exact expenses and revenues are pertaining to non-resident students. Perhaps one of our friends on the school board could answer this for us on this blog. Thanks…
August 8th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
I find it interesting that Suzanne Sareini,current city council member and the Republican candidate for the 15th district state house seat being vacated by Gino Polidori, has received substantial campaign contributions from non-Dearborn residents affiliated with the Advanced Technology Academy (ATA), which is part of this deal.
Go here to see the contributions: http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/cfr/dumpimages/3291751.pdf
August 8th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Old all day school mom
The link is bad, can you post a new one? thanks.
August 8th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
“I find it interesting that Suzanne Sareini,current city council member and the Republican candidate for the 15th district state house seat being vacated by Gino Polidori, has received substantial campaign contributions from non-Dearborn residents affiliated with the Advanced Technology Academy (ATA), which is part of this deal.”
Sarieni is on the Board of Directors of ATA. Why do you find it interesting that they would support her in her run for a political office? Just trying to keep the pot stirred, ADSM? I would find it more interesting if they didn’t support her.
August 9th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
What’s The Big Deal? says:
August 8th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
“I find it interesting that Suzanne Sareini,current city council member and the Republican candidate for the 15th district state house seat being vacated by Gino Polidori, has received substantial campaign contributions from non-Dearborn residents affiliated with the Advanced Technology Academy (ATA), which is part of this deal.”
Sarieni is on the Board of Directors of ATA. Why do you find it interesting that they would support her in her run for a political office? Just trying to keep the pot stirred, ADSM? I would find it more interesting if they didn’t support her.
THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION. I WAS NOT AWARE SHE WAS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
HOWEVER, I STILL THINK IT IS INTERESTING THAT MUCH OF HER SUPPORT IN TERMS OF CAMPAIGN FUNDING COMES FROM OUTSIDE OF DEARBORN.
REMEMBER, THE 15TH DISTRICT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TERRITORY IS IN AND OF DEARBORN ALONE–SO WHY DOES SHE RECEIVE ALL THESE CONTRIBUTIONS NOT JUST FROM OUT OF CITY, BUT OUT OF COUNTY??
August 10th, 2010 at 9:23 am
I spoke with someone at Homecoming who knows the line itemization breakdown of expenses versus revenues of HFCC non-Dearborn residents and they stated that what HFCC charges non-residents totally pays for the cost and that Dearborn residents are not out of pocket for any HFCC non-resident students. I have used this source many times in the past and have found their information totally credible, so I do believe them, but cannot reveal their name due to their request that I keep their name confidential.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Henry Ford Community College
deepSaidwhat.com response
At Henry Ford Community College, we appreciate the dialogue about the articulation agreement between HFCC and Lake Superior State University. The agreement is the latest of many agreements HFCC has with several universities such as University of Michigan – Dearborn and Ann Arbor, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, etc. The agreements guarantee that credits earned at HFCC will transfer in to the university which is so important to our students. This ensures that students don’t waste time or money on courses that won’t transfer. These agreements only relate to transfer of credits and have no effect on revenue or property taxes. No money is involved.
One writer on the blog, “HFCC Facts”, correctly described the sources of revenue to the College. Tuition and fees provide 54%, state aid provides 27%, property taxes provide 17%, and 2% is from other sources. The cost of instruction per full time student is approximately $2,400 per year. A non-resident full time student pays $4,350 in tuition and fees. This means each non-resident student contributes $1,950 toward utilities and other operational costs. By contrast, a full time resident student pays approximately $2,400 which covers only the cost of instruction.
We hope this information is useful to readers and we appreciate the outstanding support the community has shown HFCC over the years. Community colleges have the unique mission of providing quality, affordable education and of responding to the changing workforce needs of the region. HFCC is working closely with business and industry as well as state government to provide programs that prepare people for the jobs of the changing Michigan economy.
HFCC Office of Public Information – Susan Brown, Publicity Manager
August 12th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Michael,
I am glad you are drinking the kool ade. I for one will stick with the facts. YOU ARE helping more NON Dearborn students attend HFCC than residents!
August 13th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I do not believe the numbers…